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Bill Sutphen
Lisa Efraimson Lisa, along with Bill Sutphen and a couple others founded the fund in 2005. Prior to Jon’s passing, Lisa and Jon took it upon themselves to identify a need at the Shaw Cancer Center and within the community not yet met. The result is the Efraimson-Sutphen Cancer Support Fund. As they envisioned it, the goal of this fund was to both provide patients with assistance while going through treatment at the Shaw Regional Cancer Center, as well as, establish a legacy that represented Jon’s life of giving and concern for others. Following Jon’s death, Lisa embarked upon a number of additional fund and awareness endeavors, including a few journeys to Africa to assist children and villages in need. While pursuing these goals, she settled in Denver for a time but felt the pull of her and Jon’s home and returned to the Vail Valley full time in 2007. She currently resides in Edwards and works as Assistant Property Manager for one of East West Resorts properties. She enjoys spending time with her extended family and friends here and loves skiing, along with the many other outdoor activities the Rocky Mountains has to offer. She’s grateful to live in such a beautiful place and be involved with a wonderful, supportive community. Vanessa Lewis Vanessa Lewis has been with the Shaw Regional Cancer Center since its opening developing the support programs that play such a vital role in the well being of all who face this challenge. Vanessa first connected while Jon Efraimson was in treatment at Shaw and since have established a relationship that has been ongoing. As a tireless advocate for her patients, Vanessa was instrumental in bringing Jon and Lisa’s vision to fruition. Today Vanessa is not only a leader in the fund’s direction and development but also completes the applications for funding by our recipients and administers the funds monies as they are distributed. There is no person more in touch on a day to day basis with the impact of this fund than Vanessa. Vanessa lives in Edwards, CO. She has a clinic within Shaw and works for the Samaritan’s as a therapist in what few free hours she has. On top of this she is an avid cyclist, participating in rides, many of which are fund raisers for cancer, across Colorado Barney Dill lBarney Dill is the third member of the Efraimson Sutphen Cancer Support Fund management team. He was introduced to Lisa though his wife, Carrie who knew Jon and Lisa well before she met and married Barney. Barney and Carrie moved to Edwards, CO full time in 2007 when he took a job with Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate. Prior to this Barney spent his career in consumer brand marketing and software sales in Denver and Chicago. Barney has a deep familiarity with cancer, both having lost his mother and mother in law to lung cancer. In addition, Barney is a two time cancer survivor and is current patient of Shaw, where he is waging a very successful battle against lymphoma for a third time. With this level of experience it was not hard to put his effort behind this fund. He immediately saw how vital this fund is to those who access it and volunteers his time to its success and growth as well. Barney and Carrie welcomed their daughter, Reese, in early 2008 and are adjusting well to this welcome addition. In his few remaining hours of free time, Barney is an avid fly fisherman and pursues most of the other activities for which our beautiful valley is renowned. If you are a cancer patient receiving treatment, and would like to be eligible for this financial assistance program through Shaw Regional Cancer Center, please contact us at 970-569-7606. The Efraimson-Sutphen Cancer Support Fund provides support for emergency financial assistance to patients and families who are unable to afford basic expenses while undergoing cancer treatment. The advisory board directs 100 percent of the Efraimson-Sutphen Cancer Support Funds under the auspices of the Vail Valley Medical Center Foundation. For more information email info@eef-fund.org or call us at 970-569-7484.
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Jon
passed away in February 2003 “after a short but valiant
fight with lung cancer.” Because of his personal experience,
Jon recognized that the shock of a cancer diagnosis and the rigors
of treatment added to the stress of daily life are overwhelming.
He wanted accessible funds to provide financial assistance for
the daily living needs of patients, allowing them to focus their
energies on healing and retaining their quality of life. Jon
and his wife, Lisa, were active members ofthe community and selflessly
contributed both on a personal level and through his company,
eef Productions, LLC. 
Bill respectfully honored Jon’s
wishes and raised thousands of dollars for cancer patients by
collecting pledges and riding over 400 miles in the cycling tour “Ride
the Rockies.” Unfortunately, Bill unexpectedly passed away
in January 2006. It is with Bill’s passing that we add
his name to the Efraimson-Sutphen Cancer Support Fund. Both Jon
and Bill reminded us how the power of our love, kindness and
actions can benefit the lives of so many.
