I have been volunteering at Brent's Place since December 19, 2009. They had recently opened their second location that year and I had been watching it be built in my neighborhood. Brent's Place is a home away from home for children battling childhood cancer. The special thing about it is that no family is charged for staying there. It does not matter how long they stay. We have a family that has been there for at least four years - maybe five!
In 1987 Brent Eley, age 13, was diagnosed with a fast growing malignant cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. The Eley family traveled to Iowa City for Brent to receive a bone marrow transplant - the treatment that offered the most hope for a cure. Sadly, after 162 days the Eleys return home without Brent.
In 1988, the first Kid's Cure for Cancer event is held as a tribute to Brent. There are a couple of photos attached with volunteers that show up year after year.
In 1997, Inspired by the courage and spirit of Brent, his parents Donn and Linda Eley establish the Brent Eley Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization. They opened the first Brent's Place near the then-current location of the Children's Hospital, Colorado in Denver.
In 1998, The first Brent's Place facility opens its doors with five apartments to fill the need in the Denver area for Safe-Clean accommodations suitable for patients following bone marrow transplants.
In 2009, A new building was opened when the Children's Hospital was built on the new Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO. It was built with the best filtration systems and each family has their own apartment with a kitchen and private bathroom. In 2009, I had done a round of chemo myself. Since my own system was immune compromised, this was a perfect environment for me personally to volunteer! It is hard to believe that almost ten years have passed!
The Brent Eley Foundation has recently opened another building on the same block of the second location. They are located about 1/3 mile from Children's Hospital, Colorado where the kids are being treated. This new location doubled the capacity to 32 families that can be taken care of at any one time. Plans are already being made for a third building to be built on the same block of the other two. Unfortunately, as soon as the second building was open, it was filled. I'm sure the same thing will happen when the third is complete!
While it is a sad reality that there are so many children battling this dreadful disease, it is a blessing that the Eleys have created such a beautiful place for them. It is a place where kids with cancer can just be kids!
I have been a dedicated volunteer at Brent's Place for over 8 years now. The staff is wonderful - so helpful and generous. Everything they do for the kids and families who stay there is indicative of their true caring and generosity for the families to get through a hard time in their lives. I will continue to help them in many ways in the future.
I am a Denver zookeeper and children's book author. I got connected to Brent's Place a few years ago and continue to visit to read my books and engage the kids about animals and conservation. We even have them out a few times a year to meet a rhino and this has been such a wonderful experience for the families and for myself. It is great to see these kids get to laugh and smile and forget about what they are experiencing just for a moment. The staff and team concept at this organization are top notch and their passion is just contagious. So happy to be a small part of the positive reach they provide for our community.
Keeping families together during the most trying times. Providing support, delicious meals and a home with kindness and love.
Brent's Place (Brent Eley Foundation) is by far the best nonprofit I have been involved with. They stay true to their mission in every aspect of their business. They offer refuge for families going through a tough time in life. Likewise, they offer volunteers an opportunity to help out in a way that also provides deep connection to a great cause. The organization is well run, well organized, and staffed by truly compassionate and caring individuals. I cannot say enough about this organization. I would recommend it as a place to dedicate volunteer time. I would recommend it as a worthwhile organization to donate money to. I would absolutely recommend Brent's Place to anyone or any family who needs the services they provide.
In 2005 my 21 year old son Dalton Kerr underwent a bone marrow transplant for leukemia that had returned just 4 months before he was to be done with treatment. As a divorced mom with two other sons, Brent's Place was a blessing as we were able to stay there while we had to stay in Denver. The staff was amazing and there was nothing that they wouldn't do for the families there!!! The apartment was so nice and it was truly a home away from home for us. There is such a need for a place like this when your child is sick and you are so far from home. You don't know what to do and how you are going to pay to live in Denver, but your child has to be there for treatment!!!! This is where Brent's Place comes in and they are such a blessing to each and every person that they touch. Dalton will be gone 13 years on August 16th, 2018 and every year we get the sweetest card from the staff that tells us Dalton will never be forgotten. As a mama, I can't tell you how much that card blesses my heart every year. If you are looking for a organization to invest time, money or supplies into, please, please help this one out. Childhood cancer is a devasting, horrible disease that hurts the whole family. Having a safe place to stay eases some of that burden, so please reach out to this awesome place. Sherri Kerr, Lamar, Colorado
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How do I describe a place that was a life saver to my son, myself and his brothers when we went through the toughest time in our lives?
My son was 18 and diagnosed with ALL ( leukemia) in 2001. After going into remission early and everything indicating success, just 3 months shy of being cancer free, it returned in November of 2004. After undergoing a bone marrow transplant in May of 2005, we moved into Brent's Place. WOW, what an awesome place. Everyone was so friendly and so helpful. Dalton was very isolated and could not have many visitors but that did not stop them from being there for us. The meals that were brought and the gifts that Dalton would receive were amazing. It was so nice to have the apartment right there across from Children's Hospital as we would walk over to the hospital and at night I would wheel him around the neighborhood in his wheel chair. I remember the massage I received as a mom when I there that was a god send!!! Having a washer and dryer handy and not having to worry about cleaning supplies, etc was a god-send. The generosity of those who donate is above and beyond words!!!! Even though Dalton could not participate in any of the activities they always brought what ever they could to this 22 year old who was fighting the fight of his life. Even though Dalton lost his battle with pneumonia, the transplant was a success, it was all the other complications that his body could not handle. On August 16, 2005 Dalton was returned to heaven and Brent's place was amazing to us. Even though we had been gone from Brent's Place for 12 days, the sympathy and caring they gave to us as a family was amazing. I would tell anyone that is wondering about Brent's Place, it is awesome and amazing. They are still supporting this family as every year on the anniversary of Dalton's death I receive a personal card and he has also been included in the Memory Garden. This place is truly a home away from home when a family is fighting the worst fight of their lives!!!! Please help this organization in any way you can!!! You will never know until you have been in that position how precious they are!!!!
The Brent Eley Foundation provides an absolute incredible place for families to live, heal and connect with other families while going through long-term treatment at Children's Hospital. Through volunteering here, I've witnessed the love the families have for the staff and vis-versa. If you can volunteer or donate money to a cause, this one is very worthy of your time and money. Thank you, Brent's Place, for providing a safe, clean, happy home for families dealing with devastating, significant childhood illness.
I have been volunteering with Brent's Place for about 4 years and could not imagine spending my time with any other organization. While I do not volunteer in the facility, they are still able to accommodate me and welcome me as a valuable asset of the organization. I appreciate being able to spread the mission in the Denver community and recruit other volunteers to give back in whatever way they can!
I also believe Brent's Place values its staff and goes above and beyond for their volunteers to make them feel special and appreciated (even though that's not why we do it!) I have always felt a "part of the family" and look forward to the inevitable growth that is to come for such a wonderful organization.
AMAZING organization. I have been volunteering at Brent's Place for over a decade and have no plans of stopping. The mission (supporting kids with cancer) speaks for itself and this organization is run like a business. I have seen too many well intentioned non-profits not thrive because of the way they were run - Brent's Place is impeccably run from the Executive Director to the Board of Directors down to each and every employee. I am blessed and honored to be able to volunteer at such an amazing place. The best is yet to come for Brent's Place!
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An incredible organization unlike any other that I have volunteered at. The mission.....kid's with cancer......of course, it is easy to get behind and support the organization based on the mission alone. However, the organization is run like a business and it shows.......not in a rough, rigid way but in a way that makes me OK with donating my time and money because the organization makes solid decision after solid decision after solid decision and they have done that year in and year out for the last 7 years that I have been involved.
The staff is incredible and is beyond appreciative when I come in to volunteer. I am so blown away by the organization, I got my company and staff involved.......and other friends as well. I can't say enough GREAT things about Brent's Place. The staff, the mission, the business sense of their founders, staff, board, etc. etc. If you are considering donating or volunteering you can do that without any hesitation or reservations - this place is incredible!!!
Brent's place helped us out so much in a time of need. My son was having surgery to remove a brain tumor. I had just had a baby via c-section 10 days prior. The staff is so helpful, loving they go above and beyond to help us.
My niece was able to stay at Brent's Place while recovering from a bone marrow transplant. What a wonderful, welcoming, safe, and clean environment! My sister and brother-in-law as well as their other kids were able to stay with my niece, surrounding her with love and support. They were guests over the holidays, and the folks at Brent's Place even provided gifts for the kids. I can't thank the professional, caring staff at Brent's Place enough for all they have done for my family!!
My 9-year old grandson, Rylan, was diagnosed with Burkitts Lymphoma back in October 2015 and after extensive chemotherapy treatment in Albuquerque, our home town, it was determined his best chance of beating this disease was with a bone marrow transplant. We were headed to Aurora CO and Children's Hospital there - and were advised that while Rylan received continued treatment and then the much needed transplant, we'd be staying at Brent's Place - a place like none other! Brent's Place offered us not only conveniently located housing and amenities during our stay, but a clean, safe and caring environment! I can only best describe Brent's Place as our home away from home - a place where we had compassionate people to care for us, make things easy for us, take away the most minor to major obstacles, all which allowed us to focus on what was most important - our grandson. Brent's Place Team Members are second to none - each of them are so caring and helpful and put our needs at the top of their list. They went to great lengths to welcome and provide for us: nutritious food (and delivered to our apartment or the hospital !) fully furnished and stocked apartment accommodations, arranging and joining us for much-needed outings for families, and are just "there" for us - for whatever we may need, whether we are running back and forth to the hospital, or finally "home" in the apartment attending follow-up appointments. It's difficult for most to imagine what caring for a child with cancer is like - well, Brent's Place made it much easier! I'd hate to think how we would have done this all without their care and support. Thank you, Brent's Place for taking away our worry and for your caring and never ending goal in doing "whatever you need" in our time of need! This Foundation was built in memory of Brent - and has been cultivated into the most caring group of Caregivers I've ever had the pleasure of getting to know - they are the best at what they do and they go to great lengths in doing anything and everything to support you in the most difficult time of your life. Thank you, Brent's Place. You will always have a special place in our hearts - and we will always look for ways to pay it forward as you have done for us.
Brent's Place is truly an amazing place! Not only because it was our home away from home for Juan, my family and I. Also because they truly help us families in so many special ways! They help us families in need when we need it the most!!! From employees to volunteers and donors; they all help with open hearts, enthusiasm, dedication and go over and beyond in every single thing and every single minute of the day! My family and I are sooooo grateful to all Brent's Place participants and donors, you all make such a huge impact and we are soooo thankful for each and everyone of you and your families!!! Blessings to all! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
In August of 2013 we arrived in Denver with our son who was battling cancer, we pulled up to Brent's Place not knowing anybody or even Denver Allen was waiting for us n greeted up so kindly, he showed us around the place gave us our keys showed us our apartment n where everything was n from that day we lived at Brent's Place for almost 10 mobths. The staff is wonderful the place is wonderful they make u feel so welcome n at home it's a beautiful place! We lost our son June of 2014 n moved out the next day but I will never forget Brent's Place n they won't ever forget us, we still receive cards from them, it's wonderful!!
My son Justin was going through a bone marrow transplant and we were so lost until we got to Brent's Place. We were so worried where we stay while Justin was in hospital and when he got released but not able to be home. Our home is 444 miles away. The comfort of Brent's Place is amazing. We will also hold a special place in our hearts for Brent's Place e!
Brents place helped us out soooo much with my little girl juliette when we stayed there. We couldn't afford to stay there but they took it upon there selves and found some one that donated money so we could( she had to stay in a sterile environment). She fell in love with every one there. Really nice people and I appriciate every thing they did for us!!!
There are so many different ways to get involved. It's obvious that you're making a difference right away. Something as simple as preparing and delivering a dinner makes the families so happy, and the healthy siblings are so grateful for any attention you can give them.
My grandson needed to go thru having a bone marrow transplant. Because we lived more than 50 miles from the hospital we were told that it would be best to stay in Aurora near the hospital until he was better. His mother and he stayed at Brent's place because there was no way we could have afforded to stay any place else. When he was stronger and not having to return to the hospital so often his 2 younger children were able to go and stay with their older brother and mother as there were 2 bedrooms. Brent's place had activities for the younger siblings and some for my grandson who was sick. What a wonderful place. Warm and supporting for the whole family. Thank you Brent's Place and the people who work there and the many volunteers.
Brent's Place is an amazing place. They go above and beyond for there families. We were blessed to have them in our lives.
In 2015 my then 17 month old daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor. We immediately started radiation and after that we started rounds of High Dose Chemo. The levels of chemo were so high we had to boost her system with multiple Bone Marrow Transplants of stem cells so that her body could physically recover. My daughter and myself lived at Brent's Place from August 2015 to January 2016.
Brent's Place supported my family in more ways than I will ever be able to describe. They gave us a safe place to live that was close to the hospital so I could rush off at a moments notice. They gave us somewhere that was built to be as clean as possible for a very high risk time for us. They provided a sense of community so that my daughter was not a kid locked away from the rest of the world but instead just another bald kid at a table full of families in the same place. They gave me another sense of home. They helped me keep my sanity by making sure meals were provided several nights a week. They gave us activities from art projects to family outings to try to help us enjoy some moments in a dark time. They were there to lend an ear or leads on support from other foundations. They helped me get through a very challenging chapter in my life.
And when my daughter passed in June they were one of the first to reach out. To offer condolences and ask if there was any way they could support me. No matter how many years pass I will always consider myself part of the Brent Family.
Brent's Place helped save my son, Sam's, life. The compassion of the staff and the safe-clean environment both were instrumental in helping our 14-year old beat metastatic Ewing's Sarcoma. We will forever support Brent's Place in every way we can!!!
My grandson has been staying there since march. We went for a visit and brents place made it a comfortable experience. The staff was so kind and helpful. Thank you for all that you do its amazing.
I loved my stay when I went to go visit my nephew in Denver. It was nice and the staff was great. My nephew loves it there everyone makes him feel at home.
Brent's place has been a home away from home. I don't know what we would have done without them!
My son has felt so welcome & comfortable here & they have made him feel special. He has hasn't had a lot to look forward to over the last 5 months but Brent's has helped by providing activities & support. This is the best thing that could have happened to our family & we will be forever grateful!
Brent's Place opened their home and hearts when my son, Josh, needed radiation daily and we were 100 miles from Denver. We were so honored that they accepted us into their home away from home and helped us put a little "normal" back in our life. Brent's Place rocks!!!!!!! We can not thank them enough!!! The Frank-Tappy family, Sterling, Co
Brent's Place made such a difference in the way my family was able to cope with my daughter's cancer treatment in 2015. Chloe, then 7, underwent an almost 5 month inpatient stay at Children’s Hospital Colorado, which was 350 miles from our home. Once we were given the apartment at Brent's, I found a quiet peace that I was not able to carve out for myself previously. While we had a great experience at the hospital, it was important that I, as my daughter's primary caregiver, had a respite away from the revolving door of hospital staff constantly coming through my daughter's hospital room.
Brent's Place provided meals, emotional support, and community for me, my 5 yr old son, and my husband both during her long treatment and afterward, as we stay in Brent's Place guest suites when we return to Children's for oncology follow ups.
I can't say enough about the founders, the facility itself, and the staff. We are forever grateful to Brent's Place!
P.S. My daughter is healthy and thriving now. For more on my family's empowering healing journey, visit www.healingwithcourage.com.
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My family stayed at Brent's Place in 2015 while my daughter underwent cancer treatment 350 miles away from home. We can't say enough about Brent's Place. The generosity and support from the founders and staff has touched us deeply. They welcomed us with open arms, and provided a much needed private respite away from hospital life. Brent's Place has a refreshing, positive focus on life and living. We loved participating in activities, meals, and outings as much as possible. My family still gets to stay there when we return for oncology follow ups. Bren't Place will forever be in our hearts!
Chloe was born July 8,2015. And admitted to the hospital July 17,2015. Diagnosed with scid. We live in Longmont if it wasn't for Brents place we would be traveling back and forth and living in the hospital. Brents place has kept our family together and has relived so much financial burden that our family has endured. Brents place has given us relief from holidays,birthdays,given us date nights and family outings along with helping us with gas cards for travel. They have also provided us support,understanding,love and have become family to us. If it wasn't for Brents place the stress would be over its limits and we couldn't be more blessed for Brents places help and support
Thanks for all you do for our nephew Derek Augustin and the family! Brents Place provides a much needed service for many. We don't know what the Augustin family would have done without you!
Our son Collin was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in August of 2012, when my wife Suzanne was already 5 months pregnant with our fourth child. Initially we were hopeful that Collin’s treatments would only take four months and we would be back home in time for Christmas, but that illusion was shattered in October when the first rounds of chemo didn’t work. That meant a stem-cell transplant for Collin and facing 8 more months of treatment that would overlap with the exhaustion of finishing a pregnancy and caring for a new baby. This was when Brent’s Place stepped in bringing tremendous relief to us and our circumstances. Knowing that we were going to have a place to stay for as long as it took to finish Collin’s treatments was huge. And what a place it was…
It was the safe, clean environment that Collin would need for a successful recovery. It was a wonderfully, spacious two-bedroom apartment with full kitchen, a den with comfortable seating, a nice TV and a balcony to sit on. It was a place we could cook and enjoy real meals. But the emotional support we received from the staff, the volunteers and the fellow residents at Brent’s Place put it over the top. It is definitely not “just a job” for these folks; they genuinely care about each individual and family that comes through the doors. Collin experienced many moments of great joy (check out the video ;) in the midst of such difficult treatments and he is thriving today, thanks in large part to Brent's Place.
The bottom line is that Don and Linda Ely have created a very unique environment to help families in crisis, using their own personal experiences, a great vision and years of hard work. Brent’s Place was a godsend for our family; I don’t know how we could have endured our trials without their help. It is a special organization that deserves our support as they seek to help greater and greater numbers of cancer-stricken families during their time of need.
Best people!!! Staff and volunteers really care and go the extra mile to help! Love that even after we are a past family we are still part of the family and invited to events. Clean facility! It is truly wonderful to feel safe and have a home with such wonderful support when your facing all the treatments and challenge of BMT. Nothing better than the activities to take your child's mind off their problems. Having meals cooked after long days at clinic and the friendships made with the other families keeps parents sane! Brents place is the best!!!
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Best staff! They are all kind caring and involved with the kids and family. Everyone steps up and helps the family with what they need. Volunteers are the Best! They help with wonderful meals, fun activities for the kids and fundraisers.
We felt very safe, cared for and included in an extended family, a wonderful experience during a difficult time.
Brent's Place is such a fantastic place for kids that need a safe clean environment due to immuno-suppression. We were able to stay at Brent's Place for 8 months while our son underwent a bone marrow transplant to cure him of sickle cell disease. Our home was about 11 hours away in Montana, but they made it feel like we were home every day. They worked directly with our insurance company, and we parents were able to focus on our son's care rather worry about finances! The wonderful staff, volunteers, donors, leisure programs, and meal service are beyond words to describe. We don't know what we would have done without them. We will be making trips back every month and will be staying at Brent's for our return trips. This is an amazing place with amazing people involved. We just cannot say enough about them! We love Brent's Place!
Wish there was more stars for this foundation! Since August 31st we have called Brents Place home. We traveled from Belen, NM for medical treatment at Children's Hospital Colorado for a bone marrow transplant and Brents has been our home away from home. The staff and volunteers are angels! Every week they provide meals and other activities for children and their families. This place is amazing. Other families go though similar things with their children and its a overwhelming situation to be in, but its comforting having them to talk to. In my book, Brents Place deserves all the stars!
We cannot express enough gratitude for Brent's Place. Our 13 year old son, Samuel, was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in September of 2015. We are from SD and our treatment options were either in Denver (a 6 hour drive) or Mayo (a 9 hour drive). We also have family in the Denver area, so this was a easy choice. Since Samuel has to stay in Denver for the duration of his treatments, my wife and I alternate time here with him.
Having a comfortable, clean, safe and secure place to live that is close to our doctors means more than anyone could know. Brent's Place is more than a home away from home. We are grateful every day we are here. And while Sam's treatments are coming close to the end and we'll be excited to go home, we'll be sad to leave Brent's Place. The only reason we'll be happy to leave Brent's Place is we know we'll be opening up an apartment for the next family that needs a home away from home.
My daughter & I lived at Brent's Place from May 2004 until September 2004. We are from Montana and didn't have many visitors while we were living in Denver. Brent's Place was our 'home away from home' with meals, games and new friends. We were from a town of about 2500 people so Denver was slightly overwhelming! The staff was wonderful and so helpful in assisting us in finding things to do and places to visit that were "safe". I cannot say enough about how wonderful Brent's Place was! I only wish that we could live closer so that we could provide a meal now and then!
Oh my! Where to start! There just are no words that can accurately describe how amazing and loving Brents Place is! Our family was shown an out pouring of love and support from everyone that we came in contact with at Brent's. No way would we have made it thru the toughest time in our lives without them. They have it all figured out! They know what to do, when to do it, and what to say! If they don't .... they find out! They are a bright shining star for so many families at some of the darkest times in their life! Wish there were more Brent's Places in this world! Love them and thank them for all they have done and do!
I work closely with the staff of Brent's Place for an annual charity event we host. The staff is amazing. The facility is wonderful. I am in full support of this super organization and what they do. Barbara Lubbers
The amazingness (is that a word) of this foundation cannot be stated enough. The generosity of housing while living far from home help us not lose our home...literally we were able to continue with our house payments because we did not have to pay for Brent's. The support, love, kindness, and complete understanding that the staff show each and every person (the sick kid and the siblings, not to mention the parents) is a life-saver. I literally cried on shoulders and had hugs and tenderness when my fears were at their highest. There really are not enough words in the English language to express my gratitude for Brent Eley and his family. You are changing lives every single day!
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We are from New Mexico and we lived at Brent's Place for 6 months while our son underwent a bone marrow transplant. If not for Brent's I believe we would have lost our house and gotten divorced. They truly saved us from disaster, not to mentioned cared for us with the mist generous and loving spirits.
I love that we actually see how valuable each dollar is and how much these families appreciate what is done by this amazing group at Brents Place cares. I have worked with other charities that were not so selfless and appreciative
We stayed at Brent's Place for around 1.5 years when our daughter was diagnosed with cancer. People there took so much off our shoulders, so our family could concentrate on dealing with doctors and treatments. Warm hearts is what describes Brent's Place staff and volunteers the best. We are very much grateful !
Brent's Place is not only a warm and loving home to so many families, it's home to my heart as well. Everyone there is full of altruistic love and are just plain amazing souls. The staff is a family, and they truly care about each and every person who stays there. I'm blessed to be associated with such a spirit-filled, wonderful organization. What a legacy Brent is celebrated with.
We donated BraveHoods to the kids and their siblings at Brent's Place and we have had a booth at several events of theirs. I am always so impressed with the organization, but I must say I was blown away when I stopped by to drop off the shirts. The facility is homey and inviting but also super clean and professional. The staff that I met were fantastic and you can really tell they love what they do.
Brent's Place is a warm and welcoming home to all individual's whom enter the doors. Whether it is a staff member or a volunteer or a resident. This is an approved sterile-free housing facility for families who have a child undergoing treatments for various reasons. Some have cancer, some don't and are going through a bone marrow transplant to cure the specific need. Brent's place offers not only a living environment to heal and recover as a family for free but 4-5 free cooked meals per week, and many activities throughout the week. Brent's place is a remarkable non-profit that I recommend to anyone whom is needing a sterile free living environment.
I was introduced to Brent's Place several years ago and have been nothing short of amazed. The generous and dedicated staff members along with the amazing and strong families that give heart to the organization are truly remarkable. It is an incredibly warm and inviting place and absolutely exudes warmth and love from every corner of the building. When families are facing the most challenging times in their lives, Brent's Place is there to give them a home with a heart.
My son Aaron was diagnosed with AML luekemia in January 2014. We had just moved to colorado from Florida and didn't have any friends or family here. Even though we were ok money wise this situation took everything we had now and for years to come. Without all of the daily support from Brents place and the incredible staff there I don't think we would be where we are today. We still have a way to go but our time and energy can be spent on where it's needed most. Making sure our son is ok and not having to worry about a clean place to live or worrying where the money was going to come from trying to support 2 households being that we live too far away from the hospital.
Like many others going through this or that have gone through it, we will always support and donate to this great program and staff that daily helps families through the roughest times in their lives.
I can happily say we have many, many great new friends and family here in Colorado now.
I have been here 3 months now. We still have a ways to go. I could not imagine, how it would be without them! They are amazing! Staff and Volunteers go out of there way for you. It is greatly appreciated:)
My family was treated awesomely while we stayed seventeen months at Brent's Place. Childhood cancer is a horrible thing and I don't know what we would have done without Brent's Place while my daughter was in treatment. We owe her life to Brent's Places safe clean environment. I can't say enough about our wonderful experience there.
We stayed at Brent's Place after my son's stem cell transplant for 5 months. The staff go above and beyond to make to feel like you are at home. They are there to support you and your family. Once a Brent's Place family, always a Brent's Place family.
Brent's Place is the most amazing place imaginable for families going through difficult medical circumstances with their children. They open their doors and give you a home while you are far away from your own home. With the opening of their doors comes the opening of their hearts....they love your family and take care of them in amazing ways. There is not a single category of challenge that they don't cover.....emotional and physical support. A sense of understanding and love that I have never experienced in my life. We lived in our apartment at Brent's Place for nearly 6 months and the impact the staff had on our family will last a lifetime!
Brent's Place is nothing short of a god send. The facility is wonderful and the staff is wonderful. They welcomed us into their home and made it our home while our son went through six months of chemo treatments for his Medulloblastoma. We had a clean place where we knew Patrick was going to be safe and well cared for even when we where not in the hospital. The staff always engaged in what was going on with Patrick, along with being there for the whole family. They truly provide a wonderful place for cancer families. We can not thank them enough for all they did for us.
In February of 2012 we started living at Brent's Place after our son had a stem cell transplant. The facility is amazing. You get your own apartment and can isolate and just come and go for appointments or you can choose to participate in the activities that they hold a on a daily basis. The volunteers their are as equally as amazing. It is nice to have meals fixed for you a few times a week. The staff their make you feel right at home. You get all the support you need. I consider Brent's Place my second family. Our family made many bonds with other families and staff and we look forward to seeing them on a yearly basis.
We live in New Mexico and stayed at Brent's Place for 8 months in 2009 and part of 2010 during my son's bone marrow transplant. If there was not a safe-clean environment like Brent's Place, out-of-town families would have significantly greater lodging costs and BMT patients would likely have to remain inpatient much longer. But, besides that, the Brent's Place staff and volunteers treated each child/family as if we were their favorite people. They and the families who were staying at Brent's Place made the experience SO MUCH better.
I stayed with my son at Brents place, they where always there and welcomed you with open arms. You have the Brents family that work there that will do anything to help you out. To families that stay there helping each other out. Movie night and game nights and also outings together.. It is Home away from Home I would not have stayed any where else.
Brent's Place not only provides warm and hospitible shelter and support but it gives young patients and their families the opportunity to find happy moments together and "be a family" in the midst of all the challenges of cancer treatment. The folks at Brent's Place help families to face their trials and keep walking their journey with courage. Our granduaghter Madi and her family from Santa Fe stayed at Brent's Place during her bone marrow transplant and treatment . . .we celebrated Christmas and New Years at Brent's Place and always marveled at the care given to all of us!
Several years ago I stayed at Brent's Place for about 5 months with my son, who was recovering from a bone marrow transplant and needed to be in a very clean environment close to The Children's Hospital in Aurora. Our home in Montana was 12 hours away by car, and being able to stay at Brent's Place was a godsend. We were incredibly well taken care of by the friendly staff at Brent's. The apartments are large and roomy and include a full kitchen. The staff go the extra mile by providing several meals a week in the community dining room, field trips, movie nights, and craft events for the kids. Great place to stay!
Brent's Place is the best Place. Back In 2011 my son Abe had to stay long term in children's hospital. I got an apartment waiting for Abe to come to. the whole staff were amazing always wondering how Abe was doing with his battle. Abe didn't live long after his 14 birthday. The staff at Brent's Place was so amazing letting me stay while we figured out funeral arrangements. I'm still very emotional when they remember every memorial of his death. Every kid that walks through those doors become instant family. It is beautiful how they honor the memory of our children in the memorial garden. It is very expensive to run and keep each apartment sanitized for every new family. I hope they can continue to help every family that struggles with childhood cancer, in the Aurora CO area. I can't Thank them enough,
Brandi Sutcliffe
I first found out about Brent's Place when a Facebook friend posted that they needed volunteers for a fundraising event and so I volunteered. I learned about the organization that day and how they help families whose children are battling cancer by keeping them together and providing a safe and sterile home environment for them. After volunteering for several years, I decided to start my own charity and they have become the first call I make when I am looking for great advice and help as I continue to grow my own charity while continuing to volunteer at Brent's Place because it is such a wonderful organization with incredible people. I am out there each month to cook dinner for the families and it is such a wonderful experience to be able to see how well they truly take care of each and every family and how the children manage to smile even though they are in the midst of an incredible battle that nobody that young should ever have to fight. Brent's Place is such a great place and idea and I will continue to support them because they are so very deserving!
Jason's Friends Foundation, a non-profit foundation located in Wyoming, serves Wyoming families with children suffering from a brain tumor, spinal cord tumor or childhood cancer. We assist with non-medical expenses....such as travel, including lodging away from home. We have had a wonderful working relationship with the Brent Eley Foundation for many years. At times we have had as many as 5 Wyoming families utilizing Brent's Place at one time. Their facilities are clean, focusing on a clean environment for those children with little or no immune systems. The accommodations are a home away from home as a lot of the families stay for many months while receiving the necessary treatments from the local pediatric facilities. The staff is friendly and create activities for all the children staying there. There is a kindred spirit among the families and they go back to Brent's Place to participate in special activities held. The kindness shown to the families is never forgotten and is very much appreciated by those who stay there. It is a blessing that such an organization exists. From Linda Chivers, Office Manager of Jason's Friends Foundation
I don't have enough money to cure cancer, but I can donate to an organization that allows a family to stick together while their world is turned upside-down by a diagnosis. Brent's Place allows families less worry on financial worries such as rent and utilities, so they can focus on beating cancer as a family. After all, the child diagnosed is not the only one affected. I am so honored to be a donor, volunteer and advocate of this incredible organization as it is truly one of a kind.
Brent's Place is the best home away from home for our kids with Cancer. After staying at Brent's Place, the staff and volunteers become like family. They make it such a wonderful place to be, it 's bitter sweet when it's time to go home.
Brent's Place is fantastic! It is more than a nonprofit organization, it is a home and a hug for those who need it most. Volunteering at Brent's Place you see that the mission and values truly come first here. Whether I'm playing games with the kids or helping to organize for an event, the staff is welcoming and you can see the impressionable difference that makes on their lives while they're going through this difficult time.
Brent's Place has figured out the code. How to provide full support to families whose children are going through cancer, and doing so by successfully supporting and appreciating their volunteers and donors. Most everyone that has had even a glimpse of this place, feels the strong pull to support it in someway! If you get a chance, check this place out, and you'll see real good-doing at work.
Brent's Place was a Godsend for my family. Our 2-year-old son, Ozzie, was diagnosed with Stage 3 rhabdomyosarcoma on Nov. 12, 2012. His treatment plan called for 23 radiation treatments starting in December 2012. The treatments had to be done in Denver (seven hours from our home), and we didn't know what we were going to do. We knew the Ronald McDonald House was an option, but with Ozzie being on chemo, his immune system was going to be suppressed, and we didn't want to risk living in a house where we had to share a kitchen with 15 other families. Then we heard about Brent's Place. With its safe-clean setting and private apartments that include kitchens, we knew that's where we needed to be. Unfortunately, though, there are so many families in need of this setting, we knew it was a long shot for us to get in. Thankfully, we did. We were so grateful for the safe-clean setting where our little boy had the best chances of getting through his treatments, but we had no idea what we were getting into with the staff and founders of Brent's Place. We were literally spoiled rotten from the day we moved in to the sad day we had to leave. The people at Brent's Place must have thought long and hard about what families who stay there need, because they were providing things we didn't even realize we'd want! Dinners brought to our door three times a week, activities, movie nights, presents ... The list goes on. And the people who work there are some of the most caring people we've ever met. This may sound strange, but I actually didn't want to leave. We were so well taken care of. I encourage anyone who is looking for a worthy charity to consider giving to Brent's Place. I know as soon as my son is done kicking cancer's you-know-what and I am working again, Brent's Place will be at the top of our giving list.
My family never had to use Brent's Place as a safe place, for when our daughter was diagnosed with her Infant Accute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, we lived close enough to Children's. But, I know many families who have had to stay here and I can tell you that Brent's Place is amazing!
It definitely starts with the staff, who pour their hearts into their jobs everyday to make sure that these kids and their families have a safe, loving place to stay while in treatment. Everyone that I have met has been so kind and they stop everything they are doing to play with a kiddo, answer a question, receive a drawing. You can feel the love when you walk in.
We are truly blessed here in Colorado to have such a wonderful place and I love the fact that even though we don't have a direct relationship, that I have been able to help several families there. I wish that there wasn't a need for Brent's Place, but they fill the need 110%!!
So, if you have some time, please check them out and help them if you can. You will make a difference!!!
Our family came from north east montana to the children colorado hospital and we had a 9 1/2 month stay at this amazing place and they made us feel like it was are very own home we were able to be as a family as our daughter went through her bone marrow transplant as the only treatment for her life threatening sever combine immunodeficiency disease she was diagnosed at 2 months.it was so nice to have a safe and clean home environment.the staff are amazing they go above and beyond the call of duty to help familys.
We had to travel from New Mexico to Aurora, Colorado when my daughter had to undergo a bone marrow transplant to address her Severe Aplastic Anemia in 2009. After she was discharged to continue her treatment outpatient, she was severely immuno-suppressed and we couldn't just move into a hotel with viruses flowing in and out with the guests.
The counselor from Brent's Place visited the tranplant unit weekly and made preparations for the day of our discharge. She was wonderful to the parents; calming their nerves and reassuring them that Brent's Place was the perfect place for our children to recover their immune systems from the rigorous bone marrow transplant process.
We were welcomed by a caring and experienced staff who showed us how to live in the "clean" apartment building. The cleanliness rules are strict, but are enforced with a gentle touch. The apartments are spacious and easy to keep, the house staff kept the building immaculate, and the activites planned for the families were appropriate.
I think what impressed me the most was the support of the volunteers who really make the place exceptional. A continuous flow of volunteers man the front desk, donate cleaning supplies, bring dinners, plan fun activities for the kids, and raise money.
I attended the Roadless Ride fundraiser and had no idea their volume of support. The fundraiser was so efficiently run, dozens of spinning class participants rode all day to raise funds, and volunteers attended to the riders needs very well. Brent's Place is a very quiet and secluded environment, and to see the sheer number of enthusiastic supporters and volunteers was just wonderful.
Brent's Place is very worthy of supporting for the simple fact that it helps save the lives of critically-ill children. Brent's Place also saves the souls of their families knowing that their kids are in a safe and clean environment to ease their recovery. We will always be grateful to the Brent Ely Foundation and the staff and volunteers at Brent's Place for helping us through the most difficult time of our lives.