Heptner Cancer Center Introduces Chloe's Cupboard
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GILLETTE, Wyo. - Oct. 17, 2024 - Campbell County Health’s Heptner Cancer Center has become the first cancer center in Wyoming to host Chloe’s Cupboard, an initiative designed to provide small comforts in the form of snacks to cancer patients and their families. The Stevenson family, whose own daughter, Chloe, bravely fought neuroblastoma, founded Chloe’s Cupboard to ease the burden families face during treatment.
"When you’re in a hospital 24/7, hospital food gets old, and snacks can be expensive,” said Chloe’s mother, Katey Stevenson. “We wanted to do something meaningful, and that’s where the idea for Chloe’s Cupboard came from.”
Chloe's story started here in Gillette with family friend and physician assistant Val Amstadt. During a routine six-month well-child visit at Campbell County Health, a mass was found in Chloe’s abdomen. She was airlifted to Denver, where further testing revealed multiple tumors. Diagnosed with Stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, Chloe underwent aggressive chemotherapy, surgery, and bone marrow transplants. Despite her strength and every effort from her care team, Chloe’s health worsened, leading her parents to make the painful decision to stop treatment. Chloe passed away on October 13, 2022, at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children’s (RMHC) Pediatric ICU with her parents by her side.
Over the course of her short but remarkable life, Chloe touched the hearts of many, and now her legacy continues to touch the hearts of many more. Two months after her passing, the Stevensons decided to honor their daughter’s memory by extending kindness to others facing similar circumstances. Drawing from their experience navigating hospitals and living away from home, they recognized the challenges of finding affordable, convenient food during lengthy hospital stays. The Stevensons started by delivering pre-filled snack boxes to RMHC patients and this quickly grew into Chloe’s Cupboard. Chloe’s Cupboards are filled with snacks and treats and are free of charge to families. Today, Chloe’s Cupboards operate in two locations at RMHC, and now, the Heptner Cancer Center in Gillette becomes the third and first of its kind in Wyoming.
"We focus on pediatric patients, but the cupboard is available to adults too because cancer doesn’t discriminate," Katey shared. "We just want to ease the stress, even if only a little." The family hopes to expand Chloe’s Cupboard to additional hospitals across Wyoming and Colorado, ensuring more patients and their loved ones can access this simple but meaningful support.
To sustain and grow the initiative, the Stevensons hold an annual fundraiser every June in honor of Chloe’s birthday. This holiday season, the family is teaming up with Gillette’s Hallmark to release a special commemorative ornament (available November 27 – December 1), with all proceeds going toward Chloe’s Cupboard. Community members are encouraged to stop by Hallmark to pick up an ornament and support Chloe’s legacy.
"Our dream is to bring Chloe’s Cupboards to as many hospitals as possible," Katey stated.
The Heptner Cancer Center is honored to join the Stevensons in honoring Chloe’s legacy. Chloe’s Cupboard is more than just about snacks – it’s a symbol of kindness, community, and the legacy of a little girl whose life will forever touch countless others who fight the battle she herself once fought.
About Campbell County Health (CCH): An affiliate of UCHealth, CCH includes an acute care community hospital in Gillette Wyoming; Campbell County Medical Group with nearly 20 clinics; The Legacy Living & Rehabilitation Center long-term care center and the Powder River Surgery Center. With around 80 providers, 1,200 total staff and over 20 specialties, CCH is committed to serving our community by providing a lifetime of care with dedication, skill and compassion.
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