{"id":16675,"date":"2018-06-26T10:17:30","date_gmt":"2018-06-26T16:17:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=16675"},"modified":"2026-04-01T13:24:03","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T19:24:03","slug":"cancer-survivors-celebrate-like-champions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/cancer-survivors-celebrate-like-champions\/","title":{"rendered":"Cancer survivors celebrate like champions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LOVELAND, Colo. (June 25, 2018) \u2013 Joined by their families, friends and medical providers, a team of cancer survivors celebrated their victories against the disease with a championship \u201cchampagne\u201d celebration with the Colorado Eagles<\/a> in the hockey club\u2019s locker room this evening. It was the very last celebration to be held there before extensive renovations as the team heads to the American Hockey League.<\/p>\n

For years, the Colorado Eagles have been rooting for UCHealth patients who have been fighting cancer, visiting with them as they underwent chemotherapy treatments at the UCHealth Cancer Center<\/a>, cheering them on as they exercised at The Wellness Place<\/a>, and giving them rides on the Zamboni or the opportunity to drop the puck at their annual Hockey Fights Cancer nights. Fresh off of their second consecutive Kelly Cup championship win, the Eagles worked with UCHealth to create a unique victory celebration for cancer survivors this evening.<\/p>\n

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Colorado Eagles head coach Aaron Schneekloth signs a young fan’s champions T-shirt during a special event June 25, 2018, to celebrate UCHealth cancer survivors. Photo courtesy of Tony Villalobos-May, Colorado Eagles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cMy wife and I will remember this night for a long, long time. Seeing all of this support from UCHealth\u2019s cancer team, the Colorado Eagles and other survivors gives us strength in knowing that we are not alone. This monumental celebration allows us to reflect on everything we\u2019ve accomplished and share in that joy together,\u201d said cancer survivor Seth Dorris, a 30-year-old U.S. Army veteran who was diagnosed with B cell lymphoma and starts radiation next month after recently completing his sixth round of chemotherapy at UCHealth. \u201cThe UCHealth Cancer Center staff also deserves special recognition. We have been very impressed with how talented, caring and intelligent every one of the nurses have been throughout my treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUCHealth teams up with strong community partners like the Colorado Eagles to offer our patients extraordinary experiences that create meaningful, lasting memories,\u201d said Kevin Unger, president and CEO of UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies<\/a> and UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital<\/a>. \u201cImproving lives for our patients goes beyond the clinical setting. This unique opportunity with the Eagles honors the milestones our cancer survivors have reached with an exuberant celebration designed to recognize victory.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Elizabeth Thilmany, right, celebrates the milestones she’s achieved in her fight against cancer during a special ‘champagne’ celebration in the Colorado Eagles locker room on June 25, 2018, in Loveland, Colo. Photo courtesy of Ashley Potts\/Colorado Eagles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Breast cancer survivor Nina Rentschler, a UCHealth patient who recently had surgery after finishing her 16th<\/sup> round of chemotherapy, was joined by her husband and 11-year-old daughter at the event. \u201cGood can come out of any situation \u2013 even cancer.\u00a0Tonight\u2019s locker room celebration makes us feel like we are the champions of our own personal cancer battles,\u201d Rentschler said. \u201cLearning about other cancer survivors\u2019 journeys and lifting each up other \u2013 like we are all on a winning championship team together after a hard-fought season \u2013 is truly special. We\u2019re so grateful to be part of an organization that recognizes everyone as people and not just patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Eagles have been a longtime supporter of the UCHealth cancer program and contributor to the Colorado Eagles Fitness and Rehabilitation Center in The Wellness Place at the UCHealth Cancer Center in Fort Collins.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to partner with UCHealth and support their incredible patients and their families,\u201d said Gavin Riches, assistant general manager of the Colorado Eagles. \u201cThe Eagles organization lifts up our entire community of cancer fighters and honor survivors everywhere. This is one of many unique ways we are able to help fans experience the game of hockey and connect with fellow survivors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Photo gallery<\/h3>\n

Photos courtesy of\u00a0Tony Villalobos-May and Ashley Potts, both from the Colorado Eagles.<\/p>\n