Sarah's Cancer Story: Finding Strength Through Integrative Care and BCH Foundation Grants

In November 2025, Sarah Glynn received news that turned her world upside down: she had triple-positive breast cancer.

As a single mother of two whose own mother died from breast cancer five years earlier, the diagnosis felt especially overwhelming.

"It was a total shock to the entire family system," Sarah recalls.

Sarah had always taken a proactive, holistic approach to her health, from nutrition and exercise to complementary therapies. She imagined that if she ever faced a serious illness, she might choose an alternative treatment path. But after being diagnosed with cancer Sarah knew she needed to do everything possible to survive.

"Children need their mother at all ages," she says. "Trying to imagine my own children living without me was just unthinkable."

With the support of an incredibly dedicated and collaborative care team, including Dr. Evans, Dr. Beckley, Dr. Andorsky, Dr. Richard, and BCH nurse navigator Nanna Bo, Sarah began her treatment journey. While she felt confident in the medical care she was receiving, she also carried significant anxiety about the physical toll treatment would take on her body.

"The name of the game with cancer treatment is staying strong enough to get through your treatments," Sarah explains. "I knew that if I could stay strong during treatment and complete the medical treatments prescribed by my oncologist, I had an excellent chance of being cured."

As the challenges mounted, the Boulder Community Health Foundation helped ease the burden.

As a single mother who needed to take eight months away from work during treatment, Sarah faced both physical and financial challenges. Through the generosity of donors to the Red Lipstick Fund, she received financial assistance that helped ease some of the burden during one of the most difficult periods of her life.

At the same time, she found invaluable support at the B Strong Center for Integrative Care. Through acupuncture, massage therapy, Reiki, and other complementary services, Sarah was able to manage many of the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy while maintaining her strength and resilience.

"Having access to the B Strong Center for Integrative Care meant that all of the integrative therapies I needed to stay strong during treatment were available to me," she says. "It not only meant I was more comfortable and had more peace of mind, but it also gave me a better chance at better outcomes and survival."

Because the Foundation provides these services on a sliding scale and offers grant assistance to patients in need, Sarah was able to access therapies that otherwise would have been financially out of reach.

Following chemotherapy and surgery, Sarah's pathology results showed a complete response to treatment, an encouraging milestone as she moves forward with radiation and ongoing therapies designed to keep the cancer from returning.

When she reflects on what made the biggest difference during treatment, integrative care is at the top of the list.

"This is the kind of care system that should exist everywhere," Sarah says. "It's not only accessible to people with privilege. It's accessible to everyone because of the support of the Foundation and its donors."

Sarah is passionate about helping others learn about the resources available in their community and ensuring more patients can receive the same compassionate, whole-person care that supported her through treatment.

"As long as I stay the course," she says, "I get to live for many years, see my children grow up, meet my grandchildren, and experience all the things that make life worth living. I am immensely grateful for this care to be available right here in one place."

How to Get Involved

Click here to learn more about supporting the fundraising campaign to ensure integrative therapy continues to remain accessible on a sliding scale for BCH patients. Donations of $250 or more will be added to the donor wall at the B Strong Center for Integrative Care at Boulder Community Health.