Background Statement
Northwest Colorado Aid and Support group began in 1984 as a group to give financial assistance to individuals experiencing long term or life-threatening illnesses for medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Over the years, we have given funds to people as they apply with a streamlined application that was tailored to meet their needs.
In 2000, we began a program called Yampa Valley Breast Cancer Awareness Project dba the Bust of Steamboat; we chose an additional focus on Breast Cancer education for early detection and support for patients undergoing treatment, and continued paying for expenses that were not covered by insurance, or for patients who were wholly uninsured.
Recently we revamped our application to better assess financial situations and prioritize people who are at 300% of the poverty level or below.
We have also contributed to the hospital here to enhance the chemotherapy center as well as provided funding for a "boutique" area where patients could get wigs, prostheses, and other items.
We are starting to provide cold caps to patients, if requested, to use for a scalp cooling machine that was recently purchased by our local hospital foundation.
Living in a small rural area, we are acutely aware that there are many individuals affected when a person receives a diagnosis- patient, family, coworkers, faith community, schools, etc.and our community has offered solid continuous support for our mission.
Due to the changes necessitated by COVID-19 this year, we will not be holding an annual fundraiser; our organization depends on your donations for this funding and every dollar raised stays local.
In 2019, we shifted to a community-wide focus called, “Paint the Town Pink” where, ANY and EVERY business can launch their own fundraiser and have a direct impact for local women.
Our website is : thebustofsteamboat.org.