The foliage surrounding Denver’s City Park Pavilion was just starting to show the first hues of autumn when 250 friends of the Center for Women’s Health Research gathered there for lunch.
As beautiful as the view was, however, it couldn’t beat an announcement made as the crowd munched on fare from K-M Concessions. There was an audible gasp, followed by hearty applause, when Karen and Steven Leaffer presented Jacqueline’s Gift – a check for $300,000 – to Drs. Judith Regensteiner and JoAnn Lindenfeld, who founded the CWHR with Dr. Lorna Moore in June 2004.
A second round of applause came when Judi Wagner, who chairs the center’s steering committee, announced that the committee had matched the amount, dollar for dollar. The CWHR, explains managing director Gay Cook, was started with the idea that medical research has often excluded women and that such leading killers as cardiovascular disease and diabetes can present differently in women, with different symptoms and levels of severity.
“By closing the knowledge gap in women’s health issues, women’s quality of life will be enhanced and longevity improved,” Cook says. “The documented need for women’s health research becomes even more compelling as the baby boom generation ages and the percentage of older women rises in the U.S.”
The center, Cook adds, has a three-pronged mission to improve women’s health and longevity: research; training young scientists in the study of women’s health; and educational outreach for the benefit of women everywhere, their families, and communities.”
Karen Leaffer endured health issues during her pregnancy that threatened both her own life and that of her unborn child. She said Jacqueline’s Gift was being given in memory of her daughter who died in infancy and on behalf of future generations of women.
The center is affiliated with the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center and has offices on the new Fitzsimons campus.The money it raises will fund research, program initiatives, outreach and a permanent home. For details, call 303-724-0305.
Keep on dancing
The beat has never stopped for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. From its humble start 35 years ago as a Denver Model Cities project to the international performance schedule it maintains today, the company continues to win new fans and avenues of support.
Which is no doubt why Cleo Parker Robinson herself wore such a big smile when board members, sponsors, dancers, former members of the company and dance leaders from across the company gathered at the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom for an anniversary gala.
Festivities included an auction, dinner and the opportunity for one and all to get up and dance.
October offerings
Denver City Councilwoman Rosemary Rodriguez, state Sen. Norma Anderson and former Aurora City Councilwoman Edna Mosley are among those honored Tuesday when Girl Scouts – Mile Hi Council has its Women of Distinction Dinner at the Marriott City Center. Kathleen Beatty and Anne Warhover are the co-chairs; for reservations, call 303-778-8774. …
Founder and president Annabel Bowlen opens her home Wednesday for a brunch attended by new and continuing members of the Beacon Center’s Cherish the Children Guild. … Invesco Field at Mile High is the setting Saturday for the 12th Black Diamond Ball benefiting National Sports Center for the Disabled; Saturday’s also the night for the Denver Public Library Booklover’s Ball. …
The identity of the 2006 Citizen of the Arts will be revealed Oct. 20 when the Fine Arts Foundation meets at Barney and Nancy Schotters’ Greenwood Village home … Dulcy Amter, Gwen Bowen, Marilyn Cohen, Katherine Detre and Charlotte York Irey will be honored at the Oct. 23 Living Legends of Dance reception hosted by Friends of the Carson-Brierly Dance Library. For details, call 303-399-6208. …
Artist Barry Rose receives the Ann Love Award when Historic Denver has its annual dinner Oct. 26 at the Brown Palace Hotel. Community Preservation Awards also will be presented. … On Oct. 27, Colorado first lady Frances Owens is scheduled to speak at a reception that will introduce new supporters to Rainbow Bridge and its work to enrich the lives of nursing home residents who have no regular visitors. Don Johnson and Arlene Mohler are honorary hosts for the 6 p.m. gathering at 9News studios; Reggie Rivers is the emcee.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
