Our Mission
To provide services that reduce cancer suffering for New Mexico's families.
About Cancer Services of New Mexico
Providing Services to Reduce Cancer Suffering for New Mexico's Families
Why We Exist
Cancer Services of New Mexico was founded by Blaire and Richard Larson after they became caregivers for a close family member diagnosed with cancer.
Richard, a physician and cancer researcher who had spent much of his career diagnosing cancer and leading one of New Mexico's largest cancer research labs, understood the medical side of the disease. Yet, like many families, they found the experience of navigating cancer overwhelming.
They were struck by how difficult it was to find clear guidance, practical support, and accessible resources. They also realized how much harder the experience would be for families without the knowledge and connections they had.
From that experience, they set out to create something different.
Together with co-founders Laurie Roach and Stuart Winter, MD, they built an organization focused on supporting families through the real-life challenges of cancer.
What Makes CSNM Different
From the beginning, Cancer Services of New Mexico has been guided by two goals:
- To develop programs that address gaps in cancer-related services
- To operate with minimal overhead so the majority of funds directly support families
Today, those principles continue to guide our work.
Our Impact In New Mexico
300+New Mexicans served each year
All programs provided atNO COST
Over 85%of funds raised go directly to programs
200+dedicated volunteers power our programs
The Need Is Real
More than 90,000 New Mexicans are currently living with cancer, and over 9,000 more are diagnosed each year.
A cancer diagnosis affects not only the patient, but also the family members and caregivers who support them. Many feel unprepared to manage the medical, emotional, and day-to-day challenges that follow.
Accessing reliable information and support can be difficult. Medical providers are often limited in the time they can spend addressing these needs, leaving families to navigate complex systems on their own.
Cancer Services of New Mexico was created to help address these challenges.
Our Vision
Every New Mexican family will have access to the information, support, and resources they need to cope with cancer.
Organizational Background
Cancer Services of New Mexico is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2001 to address gaps in cancer-related services across the state.
We are the only statewide nonprofit organization focused exclusively on identifying and addressing these gaps while maintaining a 100% focus on New Mexico families.
Powered by Volunteers
Cancer Services of New Mexico operates without a physical office and has no full-time staff.
Our programs are developed and delivered by more than 200 volunteers, supported by part-time program managers. Many of our volunteers and board members have personal experience with cancer and are deeply committed to supporting others.
This model allows us to operate efficiently while directing the vast majority of our resources toward serving New Mexico families.
Our Approach
- We are committed to identifying gaps in NM's cancer-related services and developing programs to address them. We work closely with other cancer services providers across the state to coordinate programs and minimize duplication of effort.
- We target our services on areas where we can have significant impact on cancer suffering in New Mexico, focusing on needs that are not otherwise adequately addressed.
- A cancer diagnosis impacts the entire family system. Our programs go beyond just supporting cancer patients/survivors. We include their family members, loved ones, and caregivers who are also impacted by the disease.
- We are a service organization. We spend the vast majority of our funds delivering services directly to New Mexicans impacted by cancer.
- The spirit of volunteerism is critical to our success. Most of our Board Members and other volunteers have personal experience coping with cancer; they are committed to making a difference for others in similar situations. The extraordinary dedication of our volunteers allows us to operate cost-effectively.
Our Funding
Our work is made possible through a combination of grants, corporate support, and individual contributions.