Giving Voice to People
with Serious Illness

The Blue Chair Initiative – Improving quality of life for patients + caregivers

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WHAT IS THE BLUE CHAIR?

Shirley Roberson, who lived with cancer for 13 years, bravely asked a clinician who wasn’t listening to “take a seat in that blue chair” until she had the chance to talk.

The Blue Chair is a powerful symbol:
of listening.
of patient advocacy.
of hope.

 

Make a Difference

Whenever Shirley shared her story, others came forward.
Let me tell you about my mother…
Do you know the hoops we’ve had to jump through to get my husband care?
I just want someone to listen…

And the stories are growing. The longer we tolerate the broken system, the greater the suffering – suffering that doesn’t need to happen.

Shirley believed in a world where people are listened to and receive exceptional care on their own terms. The way to that world is through the Blue Chair.

Our Mission: Listen, respect and deliver on what matters most to the people we serve.

 

What Does Your Blue Chair Initiative Contribution Support?

 

1. Transform the broken system of care.

Your contribution means we can continue to change public policy, spread good care models, and ensure people have the resources that they need to make decisions for their care and have their voices heard.

 

2. Support community models of care, today.

Our community models of care are led by trusted local leaders who understand the needs and challenges of people in their communities. Models are up and running in Louisville, KY, and other communities across the country to increase access to resources, especially for those who need it the most. Your contribution today helps these local changemakers do what they do best.

 

Your contribution to the Blue Chair Initiative ensures the voices of 12 million people with serious illness are heard and respected.

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VOICES & CHOICES OF THE BLUE CHAIR

Freeman Vines Blue Chair

A Call to Action: Donate to the Blue Chair Initiative

Your contribution supports our work to improve the quality of life for millions of Americans. To get involved, Contact Us.

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Shirley Roberson: Reflections on the Blue Chair

David A Jones, Jr

I had the honor and the special privilege of being the family caregiver to my father. It opened my eyes to the fact that we can do better. I would like to put the pain that I experienced to work beside the joy and conviction of those engaged with C-TAC to try to make this better. I'm really pleased that as my first official act as a board member, I can contribute to the Blue Chair Fund. I find the idea of the blue chair compelling for a simple reason. The importance of having the courage to ask for what you want, to express your desires, even when you have an advanced illness, is critical. Having the people who are in the chair, the experts, the financiers, the policymakers, to be able to hear and see what people want - that's where it comes together. Voice and Ears are essential to making this system better. That was Shirley's great example.

David Jones Jr

C-TAC Board Member | Founder Chrysalis

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Congratulations to our 2024 Blue Chair Award Honorees

Blue Chair Honorees 2024

Read the Press Release

Stories that Shape the Blue Chair Movement