“In 1992, like many dedicated restaurant locals, my husband Charles Hays moved to Vail to ski and cook at the Lodge at Vail. This adventure turned into a trusted community 32 years later when he partnered to open VIN 48 as executive chef and part-owner.
In addition to Vin 48, Charles helped build the Eagle-Vail Community Garden while supporting as many local resources as possible to create remarkable dishes as a chef. Life happens as our family grew into new chapters. From Vin 48, Charles transitioned to private chef to be more present as a husband and father. Together, we have raised four beautiful children: Haley, our wild child, is 21; Savara is 19; and Mia and Dante, who are both 16 years old.
In August 2024, a headache began changing our lives forever. Charles never complains, but in February 2025, I began to worry. His decline in health, speech, and ability to function quickly became apparent. After one month in and out of CMM, Vail Health, and Steadman, the concern of a chef’s life-related problems turned out to be a much more serious complication. It took one week in a Denver ICU for a tumor to be found that no local neurologist knew how to treat. Charles was discharged with no answers, no solution, or plan of action. Thankfully, Brooke Norde at Steadman Clinic was dedicated to helping my husband get help. Feeling lost and scared of losing my life partner, we flew to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Chordoma What!?! A rare brain and spine tumor that affects one in a million people a year was consuming Charles. Symptoms include loss of speech, swallowing, fainting, and severe headaches. Chordoma is part of a group of malignant bone and soft tissue tumors called sarcomas. Chordomas account for about 3% of all bone tumors and about 20% of primary spinal tumors. A Chordoma tumor usually grows slowly, often without symptoms at first, and then might cause symptoms for years before doctors find it.
Chordomas are complicated tumors to treat due to the involvement of critical structures such as the brainstem, spinal cord, and important nerves and arteries. They can also come back, or recur, after treatment – usually in the same place as the first tumor.
The Mayo is Magic! Upon arrival, the team who couldn’t help found the proper surgeons who could. This took three surgeons and multiple invasive surgeries to complete—some with all surgeons working together at once. First, they fused Charles’s skull to his spine (C1- C3) to prevent paralysis from the tumor removal. A neurosurgeon then went in with an ENT to attempt to remove the tumor through his nose. This surgery was not as successful as hoped so the fusion was removed and new bone placed. The tumor that remained could be removed through his spine and brain with another spinal fusion, followed by eight weeks of radiation.
Not working so I could support my husband and living in a hospital with children at home felt overwhelming. Amy Lewis, a family friend, connected me to Brooke Skjonsby at the Vail Valley Charitable Fund. Brooke took the time to help me come up with a plan to get support for the basic needs of caring for my family at home while caring for Charles at the Mayo. This was a delicate situation for which we cannot thank our community and friends enough for stepping in with care and compassion that will never be forgotten.
Five months, three surgeries, and 37 proton radiation treatments later at the Mayo, Charles emerged cancer-free.
What felt like a nightmare turned into a beautiful story of hope. Thank you to everyone (the list is long) for stepping in and helping my family. This nightmare has been more than just a bump in the road. Without all the local support, we could not be on the road to recovery. Our children were forced to grow up quickly but not without the help of our fabulous community. This life is an amazing adventure. Being diagnosed with cancer and overcoming cancer is an overwhelming challenge for those who face it. Looking at cancer with a positive attitude is truly the only way to approach the challenge. Healing means never losing hope and always believing and visualizing what the future can hold.
Thank you to the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, Audrey, Hayden Burn AKA the Manny, Malory Mendoza, Michelle Von Daggenhausen, Tracey Van Curran, Garth and Jill, Tad, Dr. Twiss, Dr. Corcoran and Jean, and all of our dear and near friends. Keri Kuhl, Kari and Eric Newby, you are saints – thank you for keeping me sane through this journey! Life is beautiful and with you the saying will go on, it takes a village to raise a family. In our community, the support, guidance and positive influence of a wider network of people beyond our immediate family is special. The interaction with Vail Valley Charitable brings expertise in interacting with and learning from diverse individuals, each bringing their unique perspective and experiences to help those in need. The Eagle Valley is extraordinary and our message to others is never lose hope! You are not alone.”
Charles, Ashley, Haley, Savara, Mia and Dante Hays – VVCF Grant Recipients
“As a long-time small business owner in the Vail Valley, there are plenty of things that can keep you up at night. There is always a long list of to-dos, worrying about this and that, and generally trying to be a superhuman that can handle anything that comes your way.
I own Doggie Style Pet Grooming in Edwards with my husband, Andy. We work hard, and we put our bodies through incredible stressors. We love what we do, but it is tough on the body. We visit chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists, pushing past pains that we pretend will just go away because we cannot afford to be out of work.
In September of 2018, my tough exterior was shattered when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 43. It wasn’t a complete surprise; I have a very extensive family history and had been getting mammograms from the age of 29. What was a surprise, though, was how tough it was going to be to navigate my doctors’ appointments, surgeries, and time off of work being self-employed. This was something that would not “just go away.” I scheduled my double mastectomy, groomed about a thousand dogs, and made sure everyone was coifed and ready for my extended departure. Internally, I was freaking out, but my optimism had me hoping for the best. I had never shut down my business for more than a week at a time.
I moved to the valley in 1998 from Massachusetts. I have worked three jobs my entire time here, until I opened Doggie Style, where I continue to work the hours of three jobs weekly. I worked in restaurants, at the VAC, on the mountain for a ski pass, and also cleaned houses. Needless to say, at the age of 50, my trust fund has yet to kick in. I am joking, of course. There is no trust fund. Andy and I are on our own, and we have worked hard to achieve our goals, but the key is, you gotta work or you don’t get paid. There are no paid vacations, paid time off, or paid sick leave. Taking time off for cancer is terrifying. You are supposed to be zen (or at least that’s what everyone says) and be a good patient, but not only are you terrified of cancer, you are terrified of going broke. Will I be able to pay my mortgages, medical bills, health insurance premiums, and car payments? The list goes on and on.
Unfortunately, after my double mastectomy in 2018, there was Covid, three more breast reconstruction surgeries, and just for good measure, two renal aneurysm surgeries. I am “lucky” that they found the aneurysm while imaging for something else, but in case you weren’t counting, that was SIX surgeries on top of Covid. That was six times I had to shut down my business for surgeries and recovery time. Talk about freaking out about going broke!
My last surgery was in April of 2025, and I had been putting it off for a couple of years because, honestly, I was sick of surgery, feeling crappy from anesthesia for several months after, and just panicking about closing down Doggie Style yet again. I went to see my surgeon, Dr. Martin, at Shaw Cancer Center, and his amazing PA Brianna Maher, and was told it needed to be done. I bit the bullet and scheduled the surgery. Thankfully, I had swirling around the back of my brain that someone had referred me to the Vail Valley Charitable Fund. I checked all the boxes for eligibility. I filled out my application and crossed my fingers that I would qualify for a grant. They came through for me, and I am so grateful for their support. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place, trying to live with the pain because I couldn’t afford to shut down my business again.
The Vail Valley Charitable Fund’s support gave me the time I needed to heal and have a bit of a financial cushion to pay my bills while being off work again. Thank you to all who have helped me through my journey and, as I always say, just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You’ll get there…eventually.”
Carolyn Stratton, VVCF Grant Recipient
“My love affair with the Vail valley started in 1981 and, like many locals, I have worn several professional hats to make a living. I worked in various restaurants in Vail and Beaver Creek, taught kiddos ages three to six in ski school at Gold Peak, worked at Duddy Viele Construction, distributed liquor, and sold health insurance. You name it, I did it. I have met so many wonderful people along the way – a very good thing when all you do is work! And then, just like that, it all came crashing down.
In January, I fell off an 10-ft ladder at home, resulting in an eye socket fracture, humorous injury requiring 12 screws and plates, two broken ribs, fractured tibia plateau requiring 5 screws, four foot fractures, and a concussion. All of these injuries required two to three months of inpatient rehab and being out of work for three months. How was I to make ends meet now?
The Vail Valley Charitable Fund stepped in during one of my darkest hours. Their one-time $7,500 grant assisted with medical and living expenses so that I could focus on getting better. Because I was in a much deeper financial hole than I realized, the VVCF also assisted in putting on an extended grant fundraiser which would later be referred to as a ‘pioneer days reunion.’ The place was packed, and I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. Friends, family, neighbors and coworkers all came out to make a generous suggested donation at the door, play music, bid on silent auction items, and share stories and laughter.
I want to thank my friends who have supported me unconditionally over the years, Route 6 for putting an amazing party, and the Vail Valley Charitable Fund for the incredibly important work they do in the valley to provide financial assistance to locals suffering from a medical crisis. I encourage you to make a donation, volunteer at one of their upcoming events, and get involved. This nonprofit is making a huge difference in the lives of those who need it most.
It takes a village, and I am both humbled and honored to live in this one. ”
Lori Fennessey, VVCF Grant Recipient
“Our first involvement with the Vail Valley Charitable Fund happened because of geography. In the spring of 2021, we were preparing to move from Frisco to Eagle. By chance, we noticed that the LG Triathlon, which was scheduled for soon after we moved, was looking for volunteers and, upon checking the route, discovered the route ran very near to where our new residence was located. At the time, we knew very little about the Vail Valley Charitable Fund or the Vail Valley for that matter.
We decided to sign up to volunteer as race marshals for the LG Tri. As luck would have it, Rohn and Deb Robbins worked with us at our station. In addition to helping manage the race, we learned a bit about VVCF’s mission and its history. We learned how the organization formed to fill a need within the community some 25 years ago (now 29 years old). That need was to support locals suffering from financial burden due to various medical conditions and crises. We also learned the heartwarming story behind the establishment of the LG Triathlon. The event came about as a way to honor the memory of Laura Genelin, a local triathlete who succumbed to cancer in 2008.
Since its inception, VVCF has expanded its programs to include access to direct aid, dental and physical therapy services, and soon free mammograms to our uninsured population. It works with a small dedicated staff that we have come to know and appreciate over the years, and a vast cadre of volunteers helping with its efforts. We are proud to be among that group. Not only do we give our time, but we always remember them in our annual giving.
To anyone following the news, it should come as no secret that people’s access to affordable health care could become jeopardized in the future. That will make VVCF’s mission that much more critical if certain cutbacks come to fruition. Our belief is everyone should have access to healthcare and that no one should suffer needlessly because of their financial condition. VVCF’s contributions to the community do a lot to put that belief into action.
Numerous organizations use “Vail Valley” in their name. Many of them are also nonprofit, performing some sort of service to our community. Vail Valley Charitable Fund is one of a number of “Vail Valley” organizations that we support. When the others provide programs and services needed, wanted, and appreciated in our locality, Vail Valley Charitable Fund is the only one that provides such a critical service of addressing the needs of individuals and families going through health crises on an individual basis. We intend to commit whatever resources we can to help it continue its mission, and invite you to do the same. In fact, join us for the LG Tri on July 12th to see this organization in action. “
Don and Helen Gerstein, VVCF Donors and Volunteers
“I am a longtime local, having moved here in 1999 with the intent of only staying for one season. Yes, you know the saying – come for a season, and stay for a lifetime. I live in Eagle with my amazing husband and beautiful 10-year-old daughter. This community is my home. I have a strong village around me and I’m not sure I could have had the support I needed to survive and thrive through my trials and tribulations anywhere else. This place truly is a really special one.
In 2014, my husband and I adopted our daughter after many years of infertility. Our community welcomed her with open arms. We had everything we needed to live an even more full and happy life than we could have imagined.
Then in 2017, my husband underwent an “elective” total colectomy for a genetic mutation which ended up having many complications. He spent three months in the hospital and then many days at home during recovery as his sickness prevented him from doing otherwise. Thankfully, almost eight years later, the flare ups have lessened but we are still challenged by this life-changing surgery.
If medical matters couldn’t have been any worse, I was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer in July 2020 which had already gone to my lymph nodes. I immediately started four months of chemotherapy, followed by surgery and six weeks of radiation. Oh, but the medical complications would continue. Fast forward to June of this year when I shattered my ankle, resulting in surgery and non-weight bearing for eight weeks.
Throughout this whole series of events, it became clear to my husband and I how important our village of people were to us. We relied on them heavily to help providing care for our daughter, dropping off meals, giving us shoulders to cry on; whatever it was, they were there for us. We are the people that like to give, and we had to learn how to receive.
Aside from the assistance with basic human needs and care, we also found ourselves in a very tight spot financially. Our previous medical conditions require us to have a lot of tests done each year that we budget for, many of which unfortunately are not covered by insurance. This ankle surgery tipped us outside our budget. The Vail Valley Charitable Fund graciously stepped in and helped us out, lifting the financial burden so that we could focus on healing and return to being productive members of our community.
The VVCF represents a village for our community. They care about this community. Their motto is “it’s all about heart” and they hold true to that. We are blessed to have an organization like this in our community to be able to give to, and also receive help from.
Thank you, Vail Valley Charitable Fund, for all you do for the Eagle River Valley.”
Diana Maatsch Westering, VVCF Grant Recipient
“Our love story began in August of 2010 and like many other couples we looked forward to starting our family in the Vail Valley. After several challenging IVF cycles, we were overjoyed to welcome our son, Jax, in January of 2019. Our IVF journey continued, and five years later, on November 7, 2021, we welcomed our twin boys, Nash and Liam. Like all expectant parents, we had dreams of our three silly boys biking, hiking, and skiing together in our beautiful mountain town.
Despite a healthy pregnancy and no apparent cause, Liam suffered a traumatic birth that resulted in a Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) event. Amidst our tears and the uncertainty of Liam’s injury, we left the hospital two months later, unsure of what the future would hold. Doctors told us Liam would be very sick and likely not survive—but Liam had other plans.
Liam’s diagnosis requires full-time care and presents many challenges. Liam struggles daily with multiple uncontrolled Epileptic seizures and quad Cerebral Palsy. He continues to bring immense joy to our family. However, navigating the world with disabilities in the Vail Valley has not been without its obstacles. Essential specialized equipment is vital for Liam’s quality of life, but finding and securing it can be an uphill battle.
After an extensive search, we finally found the perfect adaptive stroller for Liam to enjoy outdoor adventures alongside his brothers. Unfortunately, our insurance denied coverage not once, but four times. It felt like yet another hurdle we couldn’t overcome.
Thanks to Liam’s wonderful speech therapist who suggested we apply for funds through the Vail Valley Charitable Fund. We struggled with believing that our need was worthy of such a generous grant over others’ needs. The Vail Valley Charitable Fund assured us that our need was no less important than any other. Thanks to their generosity and support, Liam received the funds to purchase a Hoggi Bingo medical stroller—an essential piece of medical equipment that has transformed our ability to include him in family outings. With his new stroller, Liam can now join his brothers on all adventures, experiencing the beauty of the world around him, safely.
We feel incredibly blessed by the outpouring of compassion and generosity from the Vail Valley Charitable Fund. Their kindness has not only given Liam greater comfort and inclusion but has also lightened our journey as a family.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to the Vail Valley Charitable for believing in Liam and supporting our family. Your impact has been profound, and we are forever grateful.
Colorado Gives Day is right around the corner. Every donation made now through December 10th is boosted through a state-wide incentive fund. When you consider your year-end giving, please consider the Vail Valley Charitable Fund.”
Kayla & Grant Christensen, VVCF Grant Recipients
“We are proud to have called Vail home for 35 years now, raising two beautiful daughters and creating friendships that will last a lifetime. One of our daughters has decided to call Vail her home again after moving away, which upholds the strong influence that this community has had on her.
Over the years, we have worn various professional hats as true locals so often do. From school teacher to ski and snowboard instructors to waitress (to name a few), these hats have given us a deeper appreciation of the many different walks of life here that make the valley go ‘round.
Of all the reasons we love our valley, one stands out in such a unique and profound way: our nonprofit organizations. How lucky are we to live in a community that is home to such an enormous philanthropic pool that provides access to arts, education, outdoor recreation, and human services? And one in particular that we choose to support is the Vail Valley Charitable Fund.
In 2020, we witnessed the power of the VVCF in action, stepping in to help our friends, neighbors and coworkers who were suffering from a wide array of medical catastrophes. This organization provides financial assistance in their time of crisis so they can focus on their health and well-being, assisting with medical expenses, rent, food and more. These are basic human needs that the VVCF helps ensure our locals receive in their time of need.
The Vail Valley Charitable Fund has very low overhead, with only two full-time team members and one new full-time employee whose position is 100% paid for through a two-year grant. What we donate goes directly back to a community member in need. For these reasons and more, we have and will continue to donate to this worthwhile and impactful organization.
We have worn many different hats in the valley, as have the people whom the Vail Valley Charitable Fund has stepped in to help, which weaves us together even more tightly as a community. We love where we live and we love our community. We will do anything to support an organization who supports that same mantra, and believe that the VVCF does just that.
We are thankful that the Vail Valley Charitable Fund exists to assist our fellow locals in their darkest times, and hope you consider them in your year-end giving.”
Tina and David Wilson, VVCF Donors
“On October 18th, my father, Gustavo, was traveling to Denver when he hit a patch of ice and lost control of his van, rolling his car down a hill and flipping over multiple times. I wasn’t even aware of the accident until later that morning when his phone location showed he was in the Frisco hospital.
Terrified of the unknown, my mom and I began our way to Frisco, only to receive notice that he was going to be flown via helicopter from Frisco to Denver. When we arrived at Common Spirit St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, we learned he ruptured his C3-4 anterior cervical vertebrae, had five broken ribs, and banged his head, requiring extensive stitches. The injury to his spinal disk caused weakness and tingling throughout his body, thus an excruciating amount of pain. The doctors ultimately said he would need surgery on his spine, or his symptoms could get worse after six months.
At that moment, we were all frightened because of how risky it sounded, but our love for my dad and his courage were stronger. After three hours of waiting, I finally saw my dad. It was an emotional moment for all of us. This man has always been active and on the go, so seeing him in a hospital bed felt unreal. He had to go through physical therapy to start walking again as his body was weak and he couldn’t keep up. To this date, my dad can’t return to doing some activities that require heavy lifting, twisting, and turning. This is a very hard reality for him and his family to grasp.
With my dad being on restriction and out of work, everything was challenging as he has always been the main provider in our family. The medical bills kept coming in and we couldn’t keep up. We found it hard to pay for basic living expenses too as he was the main provider in our family. It was then that I heard from a friend about the help that the Vail Valley Charitable Fund provides. I didn’t hesitate to reach out to them. This organization stepped in to help in our time of need, as the struggle was real.
My father moved to Edwards in 1998 and learned to be hard-working in order to provide for his family. He initially worked alongside SteamMaster for many years until he built his own carpet cleaning company, Xtreme Cleaning, which has now been around since 2012 and continues to be part of Gustavo’s everyday life. I helped my father grow his company. The Vail Valley Charitable Fund helped my father focus on healing so that he could return to work and support his family. If you or someone you know is going through a medical crisis, I encourage you to reach out to this non-profit that helps locals in need. I cannot begin to describe the impact the Vail Valley Charitable Fund had on my family’s lives.”
Ryan Serna, VVCF Grant Recipient
“I moved to Vail in 1979 for my first job after residency, joining five other family physicians and a radiologist. Seven physicians comprised the entire medical staff of Vail Valley Medical Center (now Vail Health Hospital). Things were much simpler then. We set our office visit fee equal to the cost of a single day ski lift ticket ($15 at the time) and we would often exchange goods for services with our patients. Through the decades medical care (and ski tickets) have become much more expensive and payment for medical services much more complicated. This is particularly problematic for patients with chronic or complex medical problems. In 1996 this was true for one of my patients, a young mother diagnosed with advanced cancer. Her bills mounted and the stress of her illness was compounded by her family’s financial pressures. A group of friends sponsored a creative fundraiser which relieved her family’s financial burdens. Although my patient ultimately succumbed to her cancer, that event was the birth of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund. Since that first event, the VVCF has awarded more than 2000 grants totaling more than $9 million in financial support for our friends and neighbors experiencing medical crises. Since 1996, dozens of my patients have received aid from the VVCF. The fund has supported everything from a small child’s heart surgery to an elderly patient’s end of life care. I have attended creative fundraising events for friends and participated in VVCF sponsored triathlons. Hundreds of my clinic’s pediatric patients have received dental care through the fund’s Eagle County Smiles program. And more recently, my patients have received welcomed emotional support from the fund’s Vail Breast Cancer Group. As a physician and friend, I have witnessed the remarkable work of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund through the years. Their mantra is, “It’s all about heart!” Indeed, the VVCF truly has a heart for the medical needs of your friends and neighbors in our valley and is worthy of your support. I encourage you to join my wife, Martha, and me with an annual gift to the VVCF.”
Kent Petrie, MD, VVCF Grant Recipient
“My husband and I have been in the Vail Valley for well over a decade. In 2019, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer which was devastating and seemed insurmountable. However, our amazing community rallied to support us in every way possible, especially the VVCF. Their support helped ease the financial stress and gave me time to focus on healing my whole body – in addition to the extra special gift of time with my six-year-old son and my loving husband. The VVCF exemplifies what a truly amazing and supportive community we have here in Eagle County”
Michelle Abramowitz, VVCF Grant Recipient