Skip to main content

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.
Headshot of Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis Colts Head Coach

Chuck

leukemia

Portrait of a young blood cancer survivor wearing a light blue collared shirt outdoors, with green trees and grass softly blurred in the background. The close-up image highlights a milestone moment in a blood cancer journey and reflects the importance of hope, support, and survivorship within the blood cancer community.

Palmer

Burkitt lymphoma (BL)

school picture of pre-K black girl with short curly hair and a big smile wearing and orange and white striped top under an orange sweater with a zipper

Sofia

pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B-ALL)

Individual wearing sunglasses and a headset stands inside a professional baseball stadium dugout, leaning on a railing with visible “Toyota” and team signage in the background—highlighting volunteerism, event support, and community engagement within the blood cancer awareness and advocacy community.

Ashley

Family and Supporter

Blood cancer survivor wearing a blue event T-shirt and participant bib at a cancer awareness fundraiser. The image highlights blood cancer survivorship, community support, advocacy, and fundraising efforts that help advance research and support for people affected by leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

Jan

stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Portrait of a childhood blood cancer survivor standing against a decorative white wall, wearing a light sweater and pants. The image highlights pediatric blood cancer survivorship, resilience, hope, and life beyond leukemia, lymphoma, or other blood cancer treatment.

Oakley

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL)

Close-up portrait of an individual wearing glasses and a dark shirt indoors, with a clear view of facial features against a softly blurred background—highlighting personal strength, advocacy, and lived experience within the blood cancer community and survivorship awareness.

Marty

multiple myeloma (MM)

Close-up selfie of an individual wearing a black cap, hooded jacket, and hydration vest at an outdoor running event, with other participants and a tree-lined path visible in the background—highlighting endurance, community involvement, and active advocacy within the blood cancer awareness and fundraising community.

Harry

Family member, supporter, donor

Two children stand together on a wooden bridge at a theme park, wearing colorful character-themed outfits and mouse ear headbands, with a large green topiary figure and water feature in the background—highlighting childhood joy, family moments, and hope within the blood cancer community and pediatric blood cancer awareness.

Riley

Family member and caregiver

Portrait of a blood cancer survivor with short hair seated in a vehicle and looking toward the camera. This image represents blood cancer awareness, survivorship, patient advocacy, recovery after treatment, and hope for people living with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers.

Mazie

acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Studio-style portrait of an older adult wearing a striped dress shirt and red patterned tie against a soft blue background—highlighting personal legacy, remembrance, and the lasting impact of individuals within the blood cancer community and awareness efforts.

Laurence

multiple myeloma (MM)

Close-up portrait of an older adult indoors wearing a zip-up jacket, seated in a room with shelves and a wall clock visible in the background—highlighting everyday life, strength, and lived experience within the blood cancer community and survivorship awareness.

Elaine

acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

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