By John Moore
March 2, 2013
In this ongoing video documentary, veteran journalist John Moore chronicles Denver actor and mother Shelly Bordas’ journey since being diagnosed – for a second time – with Stage 4 breast cancer that has now spread to her brain. In Part 2, Shelly is hospitalized, has her 15th surgery, and faces tough decisions about her place in the Town Hall Arts Center’s staging of the Broadway musical, “9 to 5.” Run time: 8 minutes.
Watch Part 1 of our Shelly Bordas video documentary:
Video: The Shelly Bordas Story, Part 1: “Tit for Tot”
How to help Shelly Bordas:
In the past three weeks, friends have raised more than $20,000 to help Shelly Bordas, and there is plenty of need for it. With the start of the new year, Bordas has a huge new annual health-insurance deductible to chip away at; she just started a demanding new round of chemo; and Bordas has been told she is rapidly approaching her “lifetime insurance payout cap” — meaning that, at some point this year, her insurance company will cut her off. To help defray her medical expenses, and to help establish a college trust for Bordas’ nearly 4-year-old son, Nathan, click here.
Information on other upcoming fundraising efforts:
*A pay-what-you-can benefit concert organized by Mitch Samu will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Columbine United Church, 6375 S. Platte Canyon Road, Littleton. Featured performers will include Joanie Beyette, Sarah Rex, Megan Van De Hey, Thad Valdez, Ryan Belinak, Colin Hearn, Kristen Samu, Tag Worley, Barry Brown and guest speaker Dr. Steve Poos-Benson. Tickets at the door. Child-care available.
*A “pay what you can” performance of “9 to 5” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 4, with all funds going to Bordas. Tickets at the door, 2450 W. Main St., Littleton.
*Dani Nelson Everson, a hair stylist who has never met Bordas, owns the Clementine’s Denver, where she will host a cut-a-thon to benefit Bordas, from 4-6:30 p.m. on March 8 at 2009 W. 33rd Ave. Phone: 720-328-3594.
Previous reporting on this story:
The initial CultureWest.Org news report on Shelly’s story
Photo series: Opening night of Town Hall Arts Center’s “9 to 5”
The Bordas fund reaches $10,000 in first 24 hours
Shelly Bordas fundraising efforts hit $20,000 after first week
Kirk Montgomery’s “E-Block” report on Channel 9
Bonus coverage: Listen to my very funny “Running Lines” podcast episode with Shelly when she was appearing in Theatre Group’s 2006 production of “Debbie Does Dallas.” She played Lisa and was also the musical’s “cheerographer.”
Note: the coordinator of all Shelly Bordas fundraising efforts is Kelly Kates. Her email is kateshouse@earthlink.net
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Photo series: “It’s Opening Night in Colorado Theater”: To see my ongoing gallery featuring one intimate, iconic snapshot from more than 30 opening nights (and counting), click here.
