黑料杜区

For more than 20 years the University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute (UNCCRI) has been working to improve the lives of cancer patients through exercise. 

Originally established in 1996 by professor of sport and exercise science Dr. Carole Schneider, the UNCCRI is a unique non-profit program, recognized as a frontrunner in the field of cancer rehabilitation. Over the last two decades the UNCCRI has delivered clinical cancer rehabilitation services, provided educational opportunities and experiences in cancer rehabilitation, and conducted cutting-edge research in exercise-based cancer rehabilitation. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e the only type of facility like this in the world. There are others that provide services for cancer rehabilitation, there are other companies that are doing research related to cancer, but we provide three tiers of service: service through rehabilitation for patients, education for our students and research for not only our community, but the world,鈥� says Michael Lazio, Clinical Coordinator of the UNCCRI.

The UNCCRI has served more than 1,000 adult cancer survivors with all types of cancer in various stages of treatment. Research initiatives have produced more than 150 national presentations, journal articles and manuscripts culminating in a published textbook.

鈥淭his is one thing that a cancer patient can do to make him or herself feel better. It鈥檚 mentally empowering to them because they鈥檙e in control of this. When you get cancer, they say you feel like you鈥檙e not in control of your life because you鈥檙e being told everything you have to do, but this is one thing that they can control,鈥� says Allison Mendes, Program Manager of the UNCCRI. 

鈥淯NCCRI has been such a wonderful blessing in my life. This program brought me new physical and mental strength and a renewed hope to live a healthy life! My specialist was able to design a special fitness plan to suit my physical ability. What I loved best about UNCCRI was the friendly, loving and supportive environment from all the staff and trainers. I am so very thankful for UNCCRI pouring into my life,鈥� says former patient Dana Dunlap. 

Although the UNCCRI is located on UNC鈥檚 campus, it is a non-profit entity that relies entirely on donor support and grants to achieve its mission.

鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 be open without donor support and we wouldn鈥檛 be able to help out the thousands of patients that we鈥檝e been able to. Donor support not only helps with upkeep of our facility and daily operations but also provides us with new advances in research,鈥� Lazio says.

鈥淭he more support we get, the more people we can help.鈥� 

Thanks to donor support during the Campaign for UNC, the Cancer Rehabilitation Institute has even been able to purchase new equipment and enhance the services available to their patients. 

鈥淭hat equipment is used every day, every hour by patients. Every hour, on the hour from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. they are used by 60 to 70 patients per day,鈥� Mendes says. 鈥淣ot only that, donations from Bear Tuesday went directly to supporting our endowment which will help keep us open for years to come.鈥�

To learn more about the University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute and ways you can support its mission, visit /nhs/cancer-rehabilitation-institute/.