Given Institute and Aspen Given Foundation Merge
Contact: Laura Merino, 970-925-1057, laura.merino@cufund.org; Pamela Herr, 970-925-3730, pamela@aspengivenfoundation.org
Two local organizations will combine efforts to bring public health lectures and programs to the Roaring Fork Valley.
ASPEN—With the aid of newly enhanced staff, the Given Institute of the University of Colorado Denver will on January 1 assume all administrative and fundraising duties surrounding its free Valley-wide public lecture and health series. The Aspen Given Foundation has supported over 135 lectures and health events during its nine year existence. To aid in this merger, several key Aspen Given Foundation board members will join the Given Institute board to advise and manage the refocusing of responsibilities.
This transition of responsibilities will streamline the development activities and sharpen the public profile of the Given Institute—a 36-year-old conference and events center, owned by the CU Regents, that provides a forum for tomorrow’s health advances. The Given Institute, operated under the supervision and direction of the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, is conducting a fundraising campaign for capital improvements and to create a permanent endowment to support the Public Health and Education Series. A full-time University of Colorado Foundation fundraiser, Laura Merino, has been brought to Aspen to lead the effort. Dr. Bruce Paton, Director of the Given Institute states “With this transition, the Given Institute will proceed with one clear voice as it expands its capability to promote tomorrow’s health care solutions. The Aspen Given Foundation has been an integral player in our success during its nine years, and we look forward to building on their work.”
Since founded in 1999, the Aspen Given Foundation has played an instrumental role in helping establish the Valley’s annual Vision and Senior Health Fairs that have provided screenings and follow-up care to residents of Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs free of charge. “It has been a thrill to be involved in bringing so many valuable services to residents of our community” said Aspen Given Foundation executive director Pamela Herr. “In light of our current economy and the competition for donations in our Valley, it makes perfect sense for the Given Institute and Given Foundation to consolidate fundraising and programming efforts under the Given Institute name to better serve the community.”
This administrative change will not affect programming or other aspects of the Given Institute; the Winter Health Education series will take place as scheduled in 2009. “Our efforts have always been so closely joined that this streamlining will make our public outreach efforts far more effective,” says Janet Ferrara, manager of the Given Institute.
Upcoming events for the Given Institute’s Winter Health Education Series include:
- Movember Free Public Lecture on Prostate Cancer at the Given Institute at 5:30 pm, November 20, 2008
- Free PSA screenings at Aspen Valley Hospital on November 11, 2008
- Movember Gala at the Belly Up at 8:00pm on November 25, 2008
- Winter Health Lecture Series: Colitis and Colon Health on February 5, 2009
- Winter Health Lecture Series: Depression on March 12, 2009
- Winter Health Lecture Series: Dermatology on March 19, 2009
- Brown Bags Series with Aspen Valley Hospital
The Given Institute was established in Aspen in 1972 with funds donated by the Irene Heinz Given and John LaPorte Given Foundation on approximately two acres of land donated to the University of Colorado Regents by Elizabeth Paepcke. The Given Institute is embarking on a fundraising effort to upgrade its facilities and expand its programs to increase its impact throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond.
The Aspen Given Foundation and Given Institute will be conducting a joint fall fundraising campaign to raise the funds for Winter Health Education Series and Movember. Please contact Pamela Herr, executive director of the Aspen Given Foundation at 970-925-3730; or Laura Merino, associate director of development at the University of Colorado Foundation, at 970-925-1057 with any questions or to make a donation.