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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.
Blood cancer patient wearing a knit beanie and glasses embraces a loved one during a hospital visit. The image highlights the importance of caregiver support, resilience, and hope throughout blood cancer treatment. Set in a healthcare environment, the photo reflects the experiences of blood cancer patients and families navigating diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and survivorship together.

Kerrie

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

leukemia patient weaing glasses and blue shirt at the beach

Paul

acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Snapshot of Tricia with her family, a cancer survivor

Tricia

Staff

Jane, Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patient, with companion

Jane

Hodgkin lymphoma

Gianna, Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patient and advocate, pictured with other supporters

Gianna

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

Two people are sitting close together indoors near a window. One person is wearing a dark top, and the other is wrapped in a purple and black patterned blanket. The background shows part of a beige wall and a window frame with daylight coming through.

Kelsey

acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Cyclist wearing a blood cancer awareness fundraising jersey rides a road bike during an organized endurance event. The jersey features blood cancer advocacy messaging and supports efforts to fund research, patient support, and treatments. The image highlights the dedication of blood cancer supporters, survivors, and advocates who participate in athletic fundraising events to help improve outcomes for people affected by leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers.

Bill

chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Blood cancer patient sitting on a hospital bed during treatment alongside a supportive family member in a healthcare setting. Medical wristbands and treatment lines are visible, highlighting the realities of blood cancer care and recovery. The image reflects the vital role of caregivers, family support, and resilience throughout a blood cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship experience, emphasizing hope and connection during a challenging time.

Elizabeth

Family member, caregiver, advocate

Side-by-side portraits showing a blood cancer survivor and Team In Training participant in 2012 and 2022. In the first image, the individual wears a Team In Training shirt and points to the program logo. In the second image, the same individual stands wearing multiple race medals earned through endurance fundraising events. The photo illustrates a decade of resilience, survivorship, and advocacy in the blood cancer community, highlighting the impact of fundraising, patient support, and blood cancer research.

Max

non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

Childhood photo of two young children sitting indoors in dress clothes in front of a couch and decorative pillows. The image represents the personal story behind a blood cancer survivor, highlighting the importance of childhood blood cancer awareness, patient support, survivorship, and hope for families affected by blood cancer.

Ali

Family member and supporter

Participants run in a road race near the iconic Unisphere in Queens, New York, during a community fundraising event supporting blood cancer patients, survivors, and blood cancer research. Several runners wearing race bibs move through the course on a bright sunny day, highlighting awareness, advocacy, and support for the blood cancer community.

Matt

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

Family of four posing together by a waterfront during a holiday celebration, with festive clothing and seasonal accessories. The image reflects the strength of families affected by blood cancer, highlighting the support, love, and togetherness that help patients and caregivers navigate blood cancer treatment, survivorship, and everyday milestones.

Jennifer

Mother and caregiver

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