LifeSpark Fact Sheet

Legal status

• LifeSpark Cancer Resources is a 501(c)3 non-profit organizaton.
• Legal name: Healing Buddies Inc.
• Tax ID number is 33-1114811
• Address: 355 S Teller St, Ste 200, Lakewood, CO 80206
• Phone: 303-425-5670
• Executive Director: Sandy Priester, MBA, CHTP, RMT

Mission

• LifeSpark Cancer Resources is a non-profit volunteer service organization focused on the use of energy therapies to provide support and care for individuals with cancer at approved medical and educational facilities. LifeSpark is dedicated to serving individuals and the oncology medical community through education, training, advocacy and delivery of hands-on sessions.

What we do

• Provides weekly Reiki and Healing Touch sessions for individuals with cancer.   The individual with cancer is matched with a caring volunteer who provides the sessions each week for a period of three to six months.
• Supports the oncology community as they incorporate holistic practices into cancer care.
• Educates the public about energy therapies at health fairs, conferences, and cancer related events.

Who is eligible for our services

• Adults with any type or any stage of cancer.  Must be mobile and able to get to a LifeSpark site.  Those currently in active medical treatment for cancer receive first priority for placement in the program.

Fees

• LifeSpark charges sliding scale fees from $1 to $25 per session based upon household income.

History/phase of activity

• November 2002: This program began at QuaLife Wellness Community.

• December 2004: QuaLife closed its doors.
• March 2005: LifeSpark Cancer Resources was created as a Colorado non-profit.
• 2009: Began providing sessions at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers in Aurora.
• 2011: Provides sessions at five Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers.

Organizational Budget

• Operating budget $95,000

Volunteers

• 40 + active Reiki and Healing Touch volunteers. Growing number of non-energy therapy volunteers
• Energy therapy volunteers meet training and experience requirements, have a criminal background check and reference check, and attend an 18-hour LifeSpark training before volunteering. They attend regular continuing education meetings

Numbers served

• In 2010 we served 65 individuals with cancer with 876 hours of sessions. In addition, another 214 session hours were delivered to health care professionals, family members, and cancer survivors.

Locations
LifeSpark provides sessions in hospitals and churches throughout the Metro-Denver area

• Aurora - Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers
• Boulder - Atonement Lutheran Church
• Colorado Springs - Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers
• Denver - Denver Health Medical Center, Oncology Department
• Denver – St Barnabas Episcopal Church
• Lakewood - Green Mountain United Methodist Church
• Lakewood - Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers
• Longmont - Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers
• Lone Tree - Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers at SkyRidge Hospital

Events

• Day of Gratitude: Volunteer and donor recognition event held each June.
• Touching Tomorrow: Fundraising breakfast held each October/November.
• NightSparks: Fundraising event held each spring
• Touching Lives: Getting-to-know us events for small groups that are held periodically.