In 2012, Team Durango Derailers created a family assistance fund after our fundraising efforts reached over $50,000. This Patient Assistance Fund helps patients and their families cope with the burden of traveling to and from Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO) from SW Colorado.
Every week, a child/family from Southwestern Colorado uses Durango Derailers funds for transportation and lodging related to a visit to CHCO for a total of 500 family uses last year. Annual Team efforts result in funds supporting over $25,000 in lodging and $25,000 for fuel assistance.
The Durango/Southwestern Colorado areas defined for access to these funds includes La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores, San Miguel, San Juan and Archuleta counties in Colorado and San Juan County in New Mexico.
The fund is meant to provide lodging, transportation and some meal assistance. Families who choose to access this assistance receive gas cards to help with driving to and from CHCO as well as hotel bookings through CHCO social work department for one to two nights per scheduled visit. An exception for patients being treated for a chronic condition or if a longer stay is needed can extend this booking up to five nights during a month period.
The fund is not intended for use to defray costs of medical care or deductibles.
The fund is managed by CHCO Social Work Department, and may be accessed by families receiving care at CHCO - both the main Anschutz Campus in Aurora and the new Colorado Springs Campus. If traveling to the Anschutz Campus, families can contact the CHCO Department their child has an appointment with (i.e. Cardiology, Pulmonology, Genetics, etc) and ask to speak with that department specific social worker. If you do not know the department phone number, you can contact the main campus operator at 720-777-1234 or go through the main social work office at 720-777-6975.
If you are visiting the CHCO Colorado Springs Campus, use phone number 719-305-9394 to reach the social work department for assistance.
Every week, a child/family from Southwestern Colorado uses Durango Derailers funds for transportation and lodging related to a visit to CHCO for a total of 500 family uses last year. Annual Team efforts result in funds supporting over $25,000 in lodging and $25,000 for fuel assistance.
The Durango/Southwestern Colorado areas defined for access to these funds includes La Plata, Montezuma, Dolores, San Miguel, San Juan and Archuleta counties in Colorado and San Juan County in New Mexico.
The fund is meant to provide lodging, transportation and some meal assistance. Families who choose to access this assistance receive gas cards to help with driving to and from CHCO as well as hotel bookings through CHCO social work department for one to two nights per scheduled visit. An exception for patients being treated for a chronic condition or if a longer stay is needed can extend this booking up to five nights during a month period.
The fund is not intended for use to defray costs of medical care or deductibles.
The fund is managed by CHCO Social Work Department, and may be accessed by families receiving care at CHCO - both the main Anschutz Campus in Aurora and the new Colorado Springs Campus. If traveling to the Anschutz Campus, families can contact the CHCO Department their child has an appointment with (i.e. Cardiology, Pulmonology, Genetics, etc) and ask to speak with that department specific social worker. If you do not know the department phone number, you can contact the main campus operator at 720-777-1234 or go through the main social work office at 720-777-6975.
If you are visiting the CHCO Colorado Springs Campus, use phone number 719-305-9394 to reach the social work department for assistance.
