VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 9
WEEK OF MARCH 20, 2025
FREE
Boebert urges SBA to move state offices to Douglas County BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Alyson McPherson, an 11-year-old cancer survivor from Centennial, used a virtual reality game at Children’s Hospital Colorado to help her through her physical COURTESY OF CAITLIN JENNEY therapy sessions with Marian Brewer.
‘Booger Blaster’ helps kids in physical therapy Virtual reality game at Children’s Hospital Colorado helps distract young patients from pain, discomfort BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
What happens when physical therapists, patients and the gaming and technology department at Children’s Hospital Colorado come together? A virtual reality game called “Booger Blaster” is created. When Marian Brewer, a primary oncology physical therapist assistant at Children’s Hospital Colorado, transitioned from outpatient therapy to inpatient five years ago, she began to learn how virtual reality can be a
stepping stone in improving a patient’s willingness to participate in physical therapy. “When you’re inpatient, it isn’t always easy,” said Brewer. “Sometimes just getting out of bed and sitting at the edge of the bed can be climbing a huge mountain and can be very exhausting.” One of the main objectives when battling cancer, said Brewer, is preserving strength, flexibility and mobility to help a person stay engaged with what brings them joy. Brewer began working with Alyson McPherson after she was diagnosed with a rare ovarian cancer at the age of 10.
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U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and Douglas County officials have proposed moving the Small Business Administration’s Colorado District Office from Denver to Douglas County, citing alignment with President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Earlier this month, the Small Business Administration announced it would move its offices out of Denver, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York City and Seattle to “less costly, more accessible locations that better serve the small business community and comply with federal immigration law.” On March 10, Boebert sent a letter to Kelly Loeffler, the lead administrator for the Small Business Administration, thanking her for her commitment to move the administration’s offices out of sanctuary cities and encouraged her to relocate the offices to Douglas County. SEE RELOCATION, P5
In July of 2023, McPherson, an active youth from Centennial, was diagnosed with germ cell tumor cancer, which accounts for less than 2% of ovarian cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Several tumors were found in McPherson’s abdomen, and within two weeks, she underwent an extensive abdominal surgery to remove the tumors. Chemotherapy treatments followed, and McPherson started physical therapy to help build stamina and regain her strength.
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