The Denver Actors Fund

The Denver Actors Fund offers financial and practical assistance for members of the entire Colorado theater community in medical need, on stage and off. The DAF has distributed $1,070,000 in our first eight  years.

Testimonials

Prosthetics and makeup effects artist Todd Debreceni was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April 2019, and will require ongoing chemotherapy treatments for life because of an accompanying rare blood disease. As of November 2021, the Denver Actors Fund has off-set his out-of-pocket medical bills by $13,377.  "My wife and I appreciate The Denver Actors Fund more than words can describe. I am one of the (un)fortunate six people in 1.2 million to have this blood disease. The  support we have received from The Denver Actors Fund is incredible."

One of the ways the Denver Actors Fund immediately responded to the pandemic shutdown was to partner with Hippo Health to provide free virtual urgent care. We pay a small fee each time this invaluable service is used by a member of the Colorado theater community. From local actor (and cat rescuer Rachel McCombs-Graham): "Thank you to The Denver Actors Fund for free access to the Hippo Health app. They probably saved my hand and possibly my life on Monday night. A new foster cat bit me the night before and punctured my tendon sheath. It would’ve been much worse if I had waited to see a doctor the next morning. Turned out to be a massive, fast-moving blood infection and possibly a bone infection. I spent the night in the ER and avoided emergency surgery. Hippo Health is such a wonderful thing to have access to. They followed up, too.” To use the service, go here --> http://www.denveractorsfund.org/hippo-health-sign-up/

In the summer of 2017, actor Abner Genece and his 11-year-old son were nearly killed on a Wyoming highway when they were rear-ended by a semi-truck going 60 mph. Their injuries have required multiple surgeries. Abner now has nine metal plates in his body supporting him. The Denver Actors Fund not only paid $10,859 toward his medical and dental bills, DAF volunteers provided ongoing practical help with everyday needs such as meals, cleaning and transportation. "Simply put, I would not be here without the Denver Actors Fund," he says.

Just 10 days after actor Daniel Langhoff and wife Rebecca Joseph welcomed their second daughter into the world, Daniel died of colon cancer. The Denver Actors Fund provided the family with about $14,000 in support during their battle, and about $75,000 after Daniel's death to help provide for the future well-being of his children. Before his death, Daniel said: "We live in a world where so many of us wish we could make a difference and to change the world in a positive way. The Denver Actors Fund actually does this with everything they do."

Actor Sue Thompson endured the terrible tragedy of a daughter dying when she was eight months pregnant. To add to her misery, Sue had to be induced and deliver the child. The experience left Sue and husband Tyler not only devastated, but with out-of-pocket hospital and doctor bills that added up to $4,944. The Denver Actors Fund paid for all of it. "When I was told the DAF wanted to pay for all of my medical debt, I was blown away," she said. "I had taken an extended leave from work, which was a huge financial burden. Knowing I no longer had to worry about the debt I had was the best news I have received in many months. I will be eternally grateful for the generosity of DAF and their many donors."