Passion and Philanthropy at 2016 Libations for Life

Like a favorite cocktail, this year’s Libations for Life had the perfect blend of ingredients for a delicious girls’ night out. On Thursday, Oct. 6, more than 150 guests met up for a variety of fun beverages, tasty buffet tidbits and inspiring speakers at Mile High Station. In its sixth year (formerly known as Cocktails for a Cure), the event attracts supporters of University of Colorado Cancer Center, all determined to help fund its efforts to wipe out women’s cancers in this lifetime.

Sampling a Paloma from Table 6 Restaurant

The evening began with tunes by DJ G Funk, a silent auction, tasty treats from Relish, and an array of beverages and specialty cocktails served up by five of Denver’s hottest bartenders—all donated their time to the event. Event co-chairs Jessica Channell and Emily Jordan addressed the crowd, and 9News anchor and honorary chair Kim Christiansen emceed a program full of passion and inspiration. Virginia Borges, M.D., talked in detail about CU Cancer Center’s successes based on its research, teamwork and individual attention for patients. She, representing the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Translational Program, and Dohun Pyeon, M.D., of ChemoKine-Based Immunotherapy for Cervical Cancer, were honored as this year’s funding recipients.

Julie Clark smiles at guests as she autographs “Cancer Assassin” t-shirts and her children’s book, “You are the Best Medicine.”

Julie Aigner Clark, two-time cancer survivor (who told the crowd she prefers “cancer assassin” as a descriptor), had the room riveted to her story from the very first moment as she began her talk reading from her children’s book “You’re the Best Medicine.” When Christiansen initiated a call for donations, Clark was first to hold up a paddle with a $10,000 pledge … followed up by numerous others donating varying amounts. At program’s end, Clark took time to autograph her book, as well as “Cancer Assassin” t-shirts.

Julie Clark recognizes her daughters Sierra (left) and Aspen from the stage.

Organizers write: Proceeds from Libations for Life support research and treatment programs at the CU Cancer Center for women’s cancers. Funds raised have significant local impact on clinical programs that will benefit hundreds of Coloradans. In addition, the scientific achievements supported will have national reach, as bold breakthroughs made here affect protocols nationwide. The CU Cancer Center imagines a world in which we celebrate survival moving forward with new research and technology, a world when the cancers prevented outnumber the new diagnoses. A world where cancer is a chronic disease, not a fatal one. Please visit http://supportcuanschutz.ucdenver.edu/libations-for-life/.

The University of Colorado Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute- designated comprehensive cancer center serving Colorado, and one of just 41 in the United States. The CU Cancer Center is also one of 25 elite members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, setting the gold standard in terms of national and international guidelines for clinical practice in oncology. The CU Cancer Center’s scientists and cancer clinicians work at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, University of Colorado Health (which includes University of Colorado Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Poudre Valley Hospital, and Medical Center of the Rockies), Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Denver Health, National Jewish Health, and Kaiser Permanente. This consortium structure has made a significant impact on cancer treatment and survivorship locally, such as higher 5-year survival rates than statewide and national averages for several cancer types, including cancers of the prostate, breast and lung. Although the funds raised have significant local impact and the clinical programs benefit hundreds of Colorado residents, the scientific achievements have a national reach and move the scientific community closer and closer to finding a cure for cancer. For more information, please visit: https://www.uchealth.org/pages/services/colorado-cancer-center.aspx .