Colorado Cancer Coalition
About Us
People, partnerships, and shared purpose. Get to know the coalition working to reduce the burden of cancer across Colorado.
Who We Are
We are the statewide, nonpartisan, multidisciplinary, coalition providing education, networking, best practice sharing, and partnership opportunities for those working in oncology care and support. We are committed to providing a neutral space for dialogue from diverse perspectives to further improve cancer outcomes in Colorado.
In addition, we support the needs of Coloradans to prevent cancer, detect cancer early, and enhance quality of life for survivors and their caregivers by disseminating education, cancer resources, and connecting patients and their caregivers to opportunities to advocate for better cancer outcomes in Colorado.
A Program of Trailhead Institute
The Colorado Cancer Coalition (CCC) is a program of Trailhead Institute, a nonprofit public health organization based in Denver, Colorado. In partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CCCP), the Coalition advances statewide cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship efforts. Together, Trailhead, CDPHE, and CCC’s volunteer-led Task Forces work collaboratively to achieve the goals of Colorado’s Cancer Plan.
Mission
To engage, facilitate, expand and strengthen the statewide network dedicated to improving Colorado lives touched by cancer.
Vision
Eliminate the cancer burden in Colorado
Why Engage with CCC?
Joining the Colorado Cancer Coalition (CCC) connects you to a statewide network of organizations, professionals, and advocates working together to reduce the burden of cancer for all Coloradans. Members gain access to trusted information, expert collaboration, and opportunities that strengthen cancer prevention, care, and survivorship across our state.
Through the Coalition, you’ll stay informed with evidence-based cancer prevention and screening resources, and have access to educational webinars that address emerging cancer topics. You’ll connect directly with experts and peers across the cancer continuum—prevention, screening, treatment, survivorship, and palliative care—and collaborate through CCC Task Forces and statewide partner meetings that foster collective action and shared learning.
Membership also provides access to programs and resources that enhance quality of life for patients, survivors, and caregivers, including supportive and palliative care connections. As part of our statewide network, you help shape Colorado’s cancer control efforts by sharing stories, data, and best practices that drive meaningful systems change.
Members receive regular updates through CCC’s monthly e-newsletter and invitations to coalition meetings and events that keep you connected to Colorado’s cancer community. Together, we’re building a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to live beyond cancer.
Our Statewide Coalition
- El Paso
- 26%
- Arapahoe
- 14%
- Adams
- 12%
- Denver
- 12%
- Jefferson
- 8%
- Broomfield
- 6%
- Boulder
- 4%
- Larimer
- 4%
- Statewide/Regional
- 4%
- Douglas
- 2%
- Elbert
- 2%
- Kit Carson
- 2%
- Pueblo
- 2%
- Saguache
- 2%
- Nonprofit organizations
- 26.8%
- Community members & people with lived experience
- 25%
- Academia & universities
- 19.6%
- Healthcare
- 16.1%
- Government & public health
- 7.1%
- Advocacy, volunteering & community engagement
- 5.4%
Leadership
Colorado Cancer Coalition Leadership
Ella Meyer, MPH
Program Manager, Trailhead Institute
Ian Kahn, MPH
Co-Chair, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Allie Bain, MS, MPH
Co-Chair, American Cancer Society
CDPHE Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
Ian Kahn, MPH
Comprehensive Cancer Control Grant Manager
Elisha Lerhoff, MS
Comprehensive Cancer Control Specialist
Jilian DeGraw, MPH
Comprehensive Cancer Control Specialist
Trailhead Institute Leadership
Michele Shimomura, MS
President Executive Director
Tara Hardy, MS
Senior Director of Programs
Ella Meyer, MPH
Program Manager
Advisory Committee
The Colorado Cancer Coalition officially launched its inaugural Advisory Committee in the summer of 2026. Nine representatives from across Colorado were selected to help guide the Coalition's mission, vision, and strategic direction. Drawing on their diverse expertise and lived experiences, the Advisory Committee provides guidance to the CCC Leadership Team as the Coalition continues to grow into a more influential, sustainable organization dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer and improving the lives of all Coloradans impacted by cancer.
Advisory Committee members represent communities across Colorado, bringing diverse professional expertise, personal experiences, and regional perspectives to help ensure the Coalition's work reflects the needs of people affected by cancer throughout the state.
Meet the Advisory Committee
Alyssa Cooling, CNP
Nonprofit Representative · Survivor
Abby Stoops, MPH
Nonprofit Representative · Rural / Frontier
Erin Baurle, PsyD
Academia / University · Healthcare Provider
Joel Dunnington, MD, FACR
Healthcare Provider
Kevin Dryanski, MBA-HA
Equity-Focused Leader · Nonprofit Representative · Rural / Frontier
Katherine Williams
Equity-Focused Leader · Nonprofit Representative · Survivor
Melissa Halverson, CPXP
Caregiver · Patient Advocate
Lisa Switzer, MA
Equity-Focused Leader · Nonprofit Representative
Shauna Richardson
Health Educator · Nonprofit Representative · Patient Advocate · Rural / Frontier
Our Funding
Powered by Coloradans
The Colorado Cancer Coalition is primarily funded through contributions to the Colorado Cancer Fund, which Coloradans can support through the Voluntary Contributions Schedule on their state income tax return. These contributions are the Coalition’s main source of funding and help sustain our work year-round.
Additional support comes from direct donations, partnerships, and sponsorships of activities such as our Annual Symposium. This flexible funding allows the CCC to respond to emerging needs, support collaborative projects, and invest in efforts that advance cancer prevention and care across Colorado.
- Colorado income tax checkoff
- 82.1%
- Symposium sponsorships
- 10.3%
- Direct donations
- 5.1%
- Symposium registration
- 2.6%
Existing funding snapshot. Rounded percentages may not total exactly 100%.
In 2025 alone, the Coalition supported 65 Task Force meetings, seven educational webinars, four in-person events, 24 Cancer Plan meetings, and six CDPHE projects supported by Task Forces, while reaching thousands of Coloradans through our newsletters, website, educational resources, and community partnerships.
Every contribution helps strengthen Colorado’s collective ability to prevent cancer, improve early detection and care, support survivors and caregivers, and reduce the impact of cancer across our state.
What Your Support Makes Possible
Your support helps the Colorado Cancer Coalition bring people together and turn collaboration into action. Funding sustains the statewide infrastructure, education, partnerships, and volunteer-led Task Forces that make our work possible.
With the support of Coloradans and our partners, the CCC is able to:
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Bring People Together
Experts and communities identify gaps, share best practices, and coordinate cancer control efforts across Colorado.
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Make Education Accessible
Webinars, educational videos, newsletters, screening resources, and Spanish-language programming put trusted information within reach.
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Sustain Volunteer-Led Task Forces
Partners collaborate across prevention, screening, treatment, patient navigation, survivorship, and priority populations.
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Connect People to Support
Culturally responsive support groups, survivorship resources, and patient navigation help patients and loved ones find their next step.
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Advance Statewide Priorities
The Colorado Cancer Plan, data, community input, and statewide partnerships guide shared action.
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Create Space to Learn
The Annual Symposium and community events bring Coloradans together to exchange ideas and build relationships.
Years in Review
2025 Year in Review
Read the Report ↗2024 Year in Review
Read the Report ↗2023 Year in Review
Read the Report ↗2022 Year in Review
Read the Report ↗2021 Year in Review
Read the Report ↗2020 Year in Review
Read the Report ↗Newsletters
Explore Coalition newsletters, from the first updates in 2025 through 2026.
Thank You for Supporting Our Work
The Colorado Cancer Coalition is funded almost entirely through donations, giving us the flexibility to respond to the needs of communities across Colorado. Your support helps us bring together cancer professionals, advocates, survivors, caregivers, and community partners; provide education and resources; strengthen statewide collaboration; and advance efforts to prevent cancer and improve care and quality of life.
We are deeply grateful for the continued support of Coloradans who make this work possible. Every contribution helps us continue reducing the burden of cancer across our state.
Please email Ella Meyer at [email protected] to learn more.
Donate Directly
Make a direct donation securely through PayPal
Donate on Line 12
Donate your tax refund to prevent cancer, catch it early, and support Coloradans through survivorship
One of the easiest ways to support this work is to make a Colorado tax donation for cancer directly through your state income tax return. Tax season donations are the largest source of funding for the Colorado Cancer Coalition’s statewide efforts.
When you file your Colorado state taxes, complete the Voluntary Contributions Schedule section and select the Colorado Cancer Fund from the list.
Sponsor the Symposium
Support Colorado’s statewide cancer community through Annual Symposium sponsorship.
Help bring together cancer professionals, advocates, survivors, caregivers, and community partners from across Colorado. Sponsorship opportunities offer meaningful ways to support the event while connecting your organization with Colorado’s cancer community.
Sponsor A Task Force
Support focused cancer prevention, care, and survivorship efforts across Colorado.
Help one of our statewide Task Forces turn ideas into action. Sponsorship can support education, outreach, resources, events, and other projects led by members working in specific areas of cancer control.
Support a Special Project
Help bring a specific Coalition initiative to life.
Interested in supporting a particular project, training, resource, or community initiative? We welcome partners who want to invest directly in work that aligns with their organization’s priorities.
Partner With Us
Support statewide cancer efforts through your organization.
Businesses, healthcare organizations, foundations, and community partners can support the Coalition through sponsorships, charitable gifts, matching programs, and other partnerships.