Meet Sandy Priester | Executive Director of LifeSpark Cancer Resources

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandy Priester and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandy, what role has risk played in your life or career?                               

To some looking in from the outside, it may look like I have taken big risks. I am working in a field that has been dismissed by many as not real. But from my perspective, I have always known that energy therapies (Reiki and Healing Touch) are wonderful healing tools with incredible potential and that someday, they would be accepted as part of mainstream healthcare.

So the “risk” was actually more about my ability to withstand the contempt of others during this very long incubation period until these therapies could slowly gain traction. Today, there is so much more acceptance. These therapies are about 10 years behind massage and Yoga in acceptance (remember when these were considered weird?).

As Executive Director of LifeSpark Cancer Resources, I do take risks. I am very interested in trying new things, and am not afraid to do poorly in order to find out if something will work. In the area of fundraising, we have tried a number of things that have flat-out failed. But each time, we assess the outcomes and make mental notes about what could be done differently (or never tried again). We usually learn something important from each “failure” that can be used for the next idea.

When Covid began, we had to switch quickly from hands-on Reiki and Healing Touch sessions to remote sessions. I quickly realized that people were having a hard time just lying there and receiving when no one was in the room with them. So we added guided imagery that we played during the sessions, to give them something to focus on. This was a “risk” because we paid a large annual fee upfront to use the audio files. But I had a strong sense that this would work, and so it did not really feel like a risk to me. It turned out to be an invaluable addition to our program.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

LifeSpark Cancer Resources is a non-profit organization that offers Reiki and Healing Touch sessions to individuals with cancer at no charge. We have always been at the leading edge of what is coming in healthcare, which is an evolution toward self-empowerment. How do each of us take charge of our health by the practices and habits of our daily lives? Reiki and Healing Touch help a person shift from stress to peace. 

We started small and over the last 17 years have grown. We only have 1 full-time and 2 part-time staff. However, we currently have over 80 trained Reiki and Healing Touch volunteers who offer the sessions, and because of them we now serve hundreds of cancer patients each year. 

In addition, we now work with three hospitals; Denver Health Medical Center, UCHealth University Hospital (Anschutz Cancer Center), and Memorial Hospital, offering sessions in their cancer infusion centers.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

First I would take them to the mountains for a hike to feel and appreciate the beauty and energy of our amazing Rockies. Then, being an art lover, I would take them to MeowWolf, to the Denver Art Museum (not only for its art, but for the unique experience of the architecture from the inside), and to some local art galleries. We would ride the Lightrail, and would walk the 16th Street mall in Denver to experience the street musicians and the local flavor of the people and restaurants there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am so incredibly grateful for the Reiki and Healing Touch providers in LifeSpark. They bring their talents and skills, as well as their beautiful open hearts to this work. They are so loving and giving to those they work with, and it is a joy to work with them. In addition, we would not be where we are today without our donors, volunteers, board members, and partnering organizations such as hospitals, churches, massage studios, and spas, who have believed in us all of these years.

Website: www.LifeSparkNow.org

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1814365/admin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifesparkcancer/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVXAmos6k8pXCWtBJ81FAYA