Breast cancer patient spends precious hours working to preserve local non-profit

DENVER - It is that time of year. The leaves are changing, temperatures get cooler and we start to see pink ribbons everywhere.

However, for Christine Howard, the pink is a distraction from the fact that thousands of women will still die from the disease this year alone in the U.S.

"I'm not a survivor anymore. I'm a stage 4. There's no surviving for me now," Howard said. "Unless they come up with a cure I will die from this. I'm just trying to live, to fight this battle for other cancer patients." 

She is fighting, phone in hand, from the office of Sense of Security in Denver.

"They helped me when I had Stage 2. I needed it," Howard said.

Since it was founded 16 years ago, Sense of Security has helped breast cancer patients by giving direct support.

They receive grants of $500 a month for six months to help pay for the basic necessities like food and housing, so patients can focus on treatment and recovery.

It is not just the money. Howard said Sense of Security is also a critical source of compassion. 

Denver7 Anchor Theresa Marchetta will emcee their annual fundraiser at Denver's Four Mile Historic Park from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sep. 24.