By John Moore
Sarah Roshan established a fund in 2009 to help Denver actor Doug Rosen battle cancer. The local community responded, so much so that Rosen never got the chance to take advantage of the funds raised before he passed away.
Even after Roshan assigned about $2,700 of the $3,000 the Rosen campaign had raised from individual contributions to help fellow actor Shelley Bordas’ cancer fight, the account had a small surplus.
This week, Roshan decided to pay it forward, giving the last $220 to the new Denver Actors Fund.
“His wish was that his money be used for theatre folk in need for medical expenses,” said Roshan. That is exactly why the Denver Actors Fund was created earlier this year: As a modest source of immediate, situational relief when members of the local theater community find themselves in sudden medical need. Roshan’s gift brings the balance of the Denver Actor’s Fund to about $3,600.
When Rosen was diagnosed with AIDS in 1985, he was told he had, at most, two years to live. He made it almost 25, during which he founded “To Life LIVE,” a series of performances for patients hospitalized with AIDS. Rosen died in 2009 at age 43. Here is my tribute piece to Doug Rosen.
The Denver Actors Fund is planning its third community-wide gathering under the motto, “raising funds while building community.” New Advisory Council chair Shannon McAndrews is planning a DAF Halloween costume party for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at the Avenue Theater, 417 E. 17th Ave. More information on that party is coming tomorrow.
Board president and local actor Christopher Boeckx, who just passed the bar exam, said he will make an announcement that night about the date the DAF can officially begin taking applications for aid.
Fund volunteers plan to offer assistance to those in need in ways that go beyond monetary — including meal preparation, construction, time-sharing and, eventually, transportation.
Boeckx has undertaken the arduous legal process of qualifying the DAF for 501(c)3 non-profit status. But he said all donations now made to the Fund are already fully tax-deductable.
For more information on the Denver Actors Fund: http://www.culturewest.org/?p=5931
To donate directly to the Denver Actors Fund: https://www.youcaring.com/denveractorsfund
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