Mile High Magazine Podcast

Guest: Michelle Sie Whitten, Co-Founder, President & Ceo, Global Down Syndrome Foundation

Michelle founded the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, inspired by her daughter Sophia, who has Down syndrome. The foundation is dedicated to extending life expectancy and improving health outcomes through groundbreaking research and care.

It established the Crnic Institute, supporting over 400 scientists, and the Sie Center at Children’s Hospital Colorado—the largest Down syndrome medical care center in the U.S. They also operate an adult clinic at Denver Health and lead national advocacy efforts.

On October 18th, the foundation will host its 18th annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show—the world’s largest fundraiser for Down syndrome. The event features celebrities, professional models, and individuals with Down syndrome walking the runway to celebrate inclusion, beauty, and achievement. It’s a powerful night that raises critical funds and awareness.

https://bebeautifulbeyourself.org/

Guest: Eileen Doherty, Executive Director

Key important changes are coming to Medicare and Medicaid next year especially involving Medicare Advantage plans. With the release of the latest issue of Medicare rules by the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services and the annual enrollment or changes period just a couple weeks away, accurate insight and information from the non-profit Senior Answers/Colorado Gerontological Society is highly necessary for Colorado older adults.

Guest: Eileen Doherty, Executive Director

Key important changes are coming to Medicare and Medicaid next year especially involving Medicare Advantage plans. With the release of the latest issue of Medicare rules by the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services and the annual enrollment or changes period just a couple weeks away, accurate insight and information from the non-profit Senior Answers/Colorado Gerontological Society is highly necessary for Colorado older adults.

Guest: Dawn Guerrero Senior Manager, Patient & Community Outreach

Blood Cancer United, formerly known as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, changed its name to better represent all types of blood cancers—of which there are over 100. The organization funds research, advocates for patients, and offers financial, emotional, and educational support to individuals and families affected by blood cancer. Their Dare to Dream Project focuses on improving treatment for children, recognizing that pediatric blood cancers differ from those in adults and require tailored care.

bloodcancerunited.org

Guest: David Dani CDPHE Emerging Contaminants Coordinator

Colorado has an increasing problem of drinking water contaminated with PFAS, Polyfluoroalkyl substances. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment with its new PFAS Action Plan is working to eliminate theses substances from our water, lakes and streams. It is also working to eliminate PFAS from products being purchased by the public.

https://cdphe.colorado.gov/environmental-justice

Guest: Johanna Spille Executive Director

Covered Colorado offers safety, healing, and essential resources to survivors of sex trafficking. Through counseling, life skills training, and job readiness programs, survivors receive the support needed to rebuild their lives and regain independence. The organization provides dedicated housing and education centers, where survivors work closely with case managers and participate in group therapy.  On September 27, Covered Colorado will host its annual Light The Night fundraiser at Blackstone Country Club to support these vital services.  

covercolorado.org

Guest: Megan Guevarra Director Office of Environmental Justice

The Office of Environmental Justice works on fair access to clean air, safe water, green spaces, and eliminating undo burden of hazards in all Colorado communities while making certain communities have the right to participate in decisions that affect their environment. The state has codified these rights through the Colorado Environmental Justice Act.

https://cdphe.colorado.gov/environmental-justice

Guest: Morgan Seibel Executive Director

Nearly half of Colorado’s 303,000 children under age four face diaper insecurity. To help, WeeCycle is launching its Diaper Packing Project: for a $500 donation, they’ll deliver diapers to your location for bundling and distribution. Each month, WeeCycle purchases up to three truckloads of diapers and partners with mobile food banks to provide free diapers at pop-up events.

weecycle.org

Guest: Rachel Jervis Epidemiologis

The Colorado Integrated Food Safety Center for Excellence is one of one seven created nationwide by the Food Safety Act of 2012. It provides guidance and training to local health departments on food safety and helps to resolve food problem outbreaks and issues in nine states.

Guest: Bill Ficke

Bill moved to Colorado in 1966 and opened Big Bill’s Pizza in 1995. After 9/11, he started the Day of Giving to raise money for charity. When his wife passed from cancer in 2007, he created the JoAnne B. Ficke Cancer Foundation to keep donations local. Every September 11, customers donate when ordering pizza—last year they raised over $170,000, with a goal of $200,000 this year.

https://www.jbfcf.org/

Guest: Tracey Breckenridge

The Colorado Health Foundation has been champions for the overall health and wellness of all Coloradoans. They achieve their goals by investing in and advocating for policies and solutions that stimulate health equity and racial justice.

https://coloradohealth.org/

Guest: Amira Watters Executive Director

Spay Today was founded in 2009 with the idea to eliminate animal overpopulation, homelessness and neglect through spay and neuter.  By preventing unplanned litters from being born, they give shelter animals who are waiting for their forever homes a better chance to get adopted.  They do roughly 30 surgeries a day on dogs, cats and rabbits Tuesday through Saturday for spay and neuter surgery. They also have a vaccine clinic on Tuesday through Saturday.  They are open to the public and offer their services at low cost.  October 17^th is their big fundraiser Spayghetti & No Balls, it is their largest fundraiser. 

https://spay.today/

Guest: Tracey Breckenridge

The Colorado Health Foundation has been champions for the overall health and wellness of all Coloradoans. They achieve their goals by investing in and advocating for policies and solutions that stimulate health equity and racial justice.

https://coloradohealth.org/

Guest: Dr. Terry Dunn Owner

Dr. Dunn recently returned from Africa, where she provided vital healthcare to women, including cervical cancer screenings and menopause support, while raising awareness about the challenges they face. At Foothills Urogynecology, women of all ages receive care for pelvic floor disorders, gynecological issues, and menopause. Many mistakenly believe they no longer need gynecological care as they age, but regular pelvic exams remain essential. With 21,000 annual cases, ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer and has few early symptoms—yet no screening test exists. Women are encouraged to stay proactive and advocate for their health at every stage.

https://urogyns.com/

Guest: Sara Zeff Geber, Author Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers

In Colorado, 15% of adults over 65 are single—31% men and 55% women. While many boomers enjoy active, independent lifestyles, aging alone poses challenges, especially for the 27% without children. Lack of family support increases risks related to long-term care, isolation, and loneliness, which can negatively impact health.

Guest: Mel Rutledge Event Coordinator

Angel Eyes offers free professional grief support to families who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of a pregnancy, infant, or young child. They provide a safe and supportive space where families can heal, connect with others, and find strength during difficult times.To support their mission, Angel Eyes is hosting a Poker Run and Car Show on September 6th at Front Range Inn in Morrison.

angeleyes.org

Guest: Dedrick Simms Founder and CEO

It’s the mission of the Sims-Fayola Foundation to build the necessary partnerships, shape public policy and provide the life enrichment support required for youth of color to achieve their social, economic and social justice success. Sims-Fayola recognizes the complex challenges faced by young men of color and have been shaping and delivering the support necessary for them to thrive.

https://www.sffoundation.org/

Guest: Dedrick Simms Founder and CEO

It’s the mission of the Sims-Fayola Foundation to build the necessary partnerships, shape public policy and provide the life enrichment support required for youth of color to achieve their social, economic and social justice success. Sims-Fayola recognizes the complex challenges faced by young men of color and have been shaping and delivering the support necessary for them to thrive.

https://www.sffoundation.org/

Guest: Nicole Vanderpoel Event Co-Director

Every 15 minutes, 50 Americans are diagnosed with cancer, and 47 children receive that diagnosis every single day. Swim Across America is a nationwide movement that helps fund critical cancer research through 24 open water swims, virtual events, and other fundraising efforts. The organization has raised over $100 million, with all funds staying local to the communities where they're donated. In Denver, proceeds support pediatric cancer research at Children's Hospital Colorado. The 8th annual Denver swim takes place on August 23 at Chatfield Reservoir's main swim beach. Participants 18 and older must raise a minimum of $500, while those under 18 are required to raise $250.

swimacrossamerica.org/denver

Guest: Linda Villarosa Former Colorado resident, now City Univ. New York Professor

Continued review of research findings presented in the book, “Under the Skin,” racism in health services delivery. Topics covered include poverty leading to poor health outcomes, human biases entering into health technology development, and black women with higher death rates in childbirth.

Guest: Mike Yankovich President & CEO

The Children's Museum of Denver, founded in 1973 by dedicated parents and educators, was born out of a desire to create an engaging cultural and educational space for young children. With a focus on “kid-powered learning,” the museum offers imaginative, hands-on exhibits for ages newborn through eight. One of its newest attractions, Catawampus, invites families into a whimsical, lantern-lit world filled with curious creatures and surprising habitats. While designed for children, the museum ensures grown-ups have just as much fun exploring and playing alongside them.

www.mychildsmuseum.org

Guest: Sharon Knight CEO

Hope Communities is an organization providing support services to residents of its affordable housing communities and to the neighborhoods that surround them. Services include affordable housing, adult education in multiple languages, youth education enrichment and achieving economic mobility.

https://hopecommunities.org/

Guest: Monique McCoy Vice President of External Affairs

Brent’s Place provides free, long-term housing for families dealing with serious medical conditions like cancer, organ transplants, or immune-compromised illnesses, offering a uniquely clean and supportive environment complete with meals, enrichment programs, and celebrations of life milestones. Families typically stay for around 120 days, though many remain much longer. To spread hope and joy, Brent’s Place is hosting a new event called Wild Wonders on Saturday, July 26th—an after-hours adventure at the Denver Children's Museum filled with exploration and fun across 9 exciting acres for all ages.

brentsplace.org

Guest: Sharon Knight CEO

Hope Communities is an organization providing support services to residents of its affordable housing communities and to the neighborhoods that surround them. Services include affordable housing, adult education in multiple languages, youth education enrichment and achieving economic mobility.

https://hopecommunities.org/