Hope Lives! director finds her work exhilarating

By Libby James
Correspondent

About Community Cornerstone Nominations

Mary Hallauer has found her niche.

Her position as executive director of Hope Lives!, a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing support services to women going through treatment for breast cancer, is her dream job. It combines the nurturing aspect of her nature, her interest in medicine and a desire to learn and grow in her work.

A 2005 graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in liberal arts, Hallauer's route to her present job was a circuitous one. She grew up in Aurora, a Denver suburb, and began her college career as a biology major at Oklahoma Panhandle State University with plans to study medicine one day.

When she made the decision to transfer to CSU and live with her brother, also a student, the die was cast, although she didn't know it at the time. Her brother had a work/study job with Student Leadership and Volunteer Programs at CSU and encouraged his sister to accept a job in the same organization.

"I was forced into the job, and it became the best thing that ever happened to me," Hallauer said. "It changed my whole outlook and caused me to change my major."

Largely responsible for Hallauer's change of heart was her mentor in the job, Mary Golden, a supervisor with the program. By the time she graduated, Hallauer had worked with Golden for six years and become close to her professionally and personally.

As 2005 came to a close, Hallauer found herself in Denver looking for jobs with nonprofits where she could make use of her experience and begin her career in a job she felt passionate about. None of the jobs she found seemed to be just the right fit, so she decided to give Golden a call.

In January 2006 she went to work at Hope Lives! as assistant director under Golden, who had left CSU to become executive director of the nonprofit group.

Hallauer knew immediately the job was right for her. What she did not know was that in a little over a year Golden would move out of state with her husband, and she would be offered the executive director's job.

"It has stretched me," Hallauer said. "The hours are long and every day I learn something new. It's exhilarating to discover what I can do. I'm so fortunate to feel passionately about my work and to have the flexibility to see what needs to be done and then do it."

Lydia Dody, founder of the Style Media Group, established Hope Lives! in 2001 when she was recovering from breast cancer and became aware of the need for supportive services for women undergoing breast cancer treatment. The agency provides a range of services to women free of charge. The staff works closely with oncologists to provide complementary treatment to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Hallauer explained that integrative oncology and complementary alternative medicine are growing fields, and more cancer treatment centers and hospitals are incorporating some of these support services.

Services include therapeutic massage, acupuncture, counseling, assistance with finding and purchasing wigs, and the availability of a self-help group. Hope Lives! even helps with housecleaning when needed.

"Whatever services we can't provide through Hope Lives! we resource out," Hallauer said. "We also find a way to help with finances when that is an issue."

Hope Lives! employs one full-time and three part-time staff members in addition to volunteers who work the reception desk, perform clerical tasks and help with fund-raising events. Each year Hope Lives! sponsors five special events, the largest of which will take place at the Fort Collins Hilton Hotel on the evening of Oct. 6. After a gourmet meal, guests in formal dress will dance to the After the Fire band. A live casino, live and silent auction, and survivors' fashion show will be part of the gala "Celebrate Life in the Pink" evening.

Other events that raise money for the organization range from Bridesmaids Bowling for Breast Cancer to the Create Hope Art Auction, a Pink Boa 5k run/walk and a Tough Guys Wear Pink Rodeo held at the CSU Equine Center.

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, Hope Lives! is sponsoring Paint Northern Colorado Pink. Area businesses are participating by having special events and donating a percentage of a day's profits to the cause. For a detailed calendar of events see www.my97.9.com.

Even though her job is time-consuming, Hallauer finds the time to play in a slow pitch softball league and the energy to coach Special Olympics hopefuls in softball and basketball. Her life revolves around helping others, and it suits her just fine.