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Christen is
Blood Cancer United

Woman holding up a large labadoodle dog in the country side

Originally from northern New York, Christen moved to Denver, Colorado, in 2015 after completing her Bachelor of Science of Nursing at Le Moyne College to pursue a career in cancer care. Through a close relationship with her grandparents, she saw how her grandma, a retired registered nurse, graciously cared for her grandpa while he lived with esophageal cancer for close to a decade. The unwavering love, dedication, and courage they shared inspired Christen to seek out a specialty that allowed her to provide compassionate, holistic care to those in need.

From 2015 to 2022, Christen served patients at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center and the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute in many roles, including charge nurse, clinical nurse coordinator, and nurse manager. Her passion points included nursing empowerment, education, and advocacy. Since 2019, she has been a member of the hospital fundraising committee for Light The Night (LTN), organizing events to help their team raise over $50K for the cause. 

After continuing to be inspired by her courageous patients, she aspired to do more to support them. Through this, Christen spearheaded a multidisciplinary policy and advocacy group that included nurses, providers, social workers, coordinators, finance people, and leadership. Through that channel, Christen joined The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Colorado State Advocacy Committee which she continues to participate in today. She has had the opportunity to meet with local representatives and participate in meetings with senators to advocate for legislation that supports blood cancer patients.

With a firm belief in the mission and values of LLS, Christen was excited to join the Clinical Trial Support Center as a Clinical Trial Nurse Navigator in September 2022. This role has allowed her the opportunity to connect with patients and their families across the nation to support them through education, advocacy, and decision-making support while providing a genuine human connection.

Christen is also an advocate for blood donation, enjoys hiking and skiing the Rocky Mountains, exploring the western slope with friends, spending time with her family, and downtime at home with her dog, Piper, and cats, Ned and Olive.

Christen

CTSC nurse navigator

We are Blood Cancer United.

Everyone affected by blood cancer—patients, survivors, caregivers, researchers, advocates, fundraisers, everyone—has a story. Share yours.
A young child celebrating the end of blood cancer treatment stands indoors ringing a brass “Ringing Out” bell mounted on a plaque. The child smiles with eyes closed, surrounded by red‑and‑white decorations and signs. They wear a black shirt that reads “My Last Day of Chemo — It Was Tough but I Was Tougher,” symbolizing strength, remission, and completion of chemotherapy

Loxley

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Snapshot of Tracy wearing a hat and glasses in front of a waterfall, a cancer survivor

Tracy

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Stephenie  holding a remission sign, HL survivor

Stephenie

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

Heriberto, Burkitt lymphoma (BL) patient, with wife on his wedding day

Heriberto

Burkitt lymphoma (BL)

Young child with a shaved head stands outdoors on a sunlit driveway, raising both arms overhead while holding a small object, with a rural landscape and trailer in the background—an empowering moment symbolizing strength and resilience in the blood cancer community.

Oakley

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Gabriele Papa, AML

Gabriele

acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Outdoor event scene featuring a large illuminated inflatable sign that spells “FIGHT” in white letters with blue and pink lighting accents. The sign is placed on green grass under a large tree, with a few people seated behind it at a table. In the foreground, a person is wearing a teal shirt with a name tag and holding a white paper lantern. Decorative headbands with colorful tinsel are visible, and the background includes a palm tree, fencing, and a clear evening sky.

Keri

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

A person wearing a long-sleeved gray shirt and black pants is standing outdoors next to a large bush covered in clusters of small white flowers. The individual is holding a bright green bag over one shoulder and appears to be closely observing or smelling the flowers. The background includes dense greenery and trees, creating a lush garden setting.

Cinn

acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)

Gerardo (Jerry), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient

Gerardo (Jerry)

myelofibrosis (MF), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) - In memory

A child is sitting cross-legged on a paved surface outdoors, wearing a white long-sleeve shirt under a blue sleeveless jumpsuit with large buttons on the front. The child has short, light-colored hair and is wearing brown sandals. In the background, there is a white picket fence and a blurred house. The lighting suggests a bright, sunny day.

Aero

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL)

A runner in a bright pink jacket moves confidently through a bustling city street as crowds make their way past the grand architecture of Philadelphia’s City Hall. The energy of the race, paired with the towering historic building in the background, creates a powerful, hopeful atmosphere—reflecting determination, courage, and the unwavering support shown for those whose lives have been touched by blood cancer.

Nicole

Healthcare professional, donor/supporter

Smiling person seated indoors wearing purple, representing strength, resilience, and hope within the blood cancer community and Blood Cancer United.

Jean

multiple myeloma (MM)

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is now Blood Cancer United. Learn more.