At Passport Health Colorado, we meet with members of our community every day that are traveling to all corners of the globe. While we strive to help every individual prepare for a safe and healthy trip, we know that there are people here at home and all over the world that need help beyond what we provide as travel health specialists. On this page are the efforts that we support to give back to our community both locally and globally.
We hope that our clients can feel like they are a part of these efforts, since we couldn’t give back without their patronage. We also hope that by promoting these worthwhile causes, we can encourage you to do what you can to help them achieve their goals.
Hope for Rwanda Gala II
The Rwanda Leadership Foundation
A recent New York Times article stated, "In the early 1990’s, Rwanda reinforced all the worst stereotypes of Africa: wretchedly poor, torn apart by war and seemingly destined to be an international basket case forever. Yet now it is becoming the little nation that could. It is clean, safe and enjoying economic growth more than twice as fast as the USA or Europe. Wherever you go in Rwanda people know about the 20/20 vision program of President Paul Kagame who has his sights set on developing Rwanda into a High Tech society – which he describes as the Singapore of Africa. President Kagame proclaims, 'We are no longer Hutu's and Tutsi's. We are one people, speaking one language with one goal – to become the finest nation in all of Africa.'"
In less than a decade Bishop John Rucyahana has established the Sonrise Orphanage and Boarding School for students 8 – 18 years of age – many of whom lost their parents in the genocide of 1994. Recently named the number one school in Rwanda, Sonrise School represents an example of the future and hope for Rwanda.
Passport Health Colorado was the dinner sponsor for the Hope for Rwanda Gala II in February of 2009. Master of Ceremonies was Channel 9’s Bazi Kanani. The special guests for the evening were Bishop John Rucyahanna and Immaculee Ilibagiza, author of the book, “Left to Tell – Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust.” Immaculee told her story of faith, hope and forgiveness and how she survived with seven other women for three months in a small bathroom where she was hidden by a Hutu pastor. This powerful evening of inspiration and information was held in the Ballroom of the Wildlife Experience. The gala helped to support the Computer Technology Center at Sonrise School, a project of the Rwanda Leadership Foundation.
Click for more information and to learn how to donate to the Rwanda Leadership Foundation
Click for more information about the Sonrise School and The Mustard Seed Project
Click for more information about Immaculee Ilibagiza
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SOUP! (Shots Offer Unrivaled Protection)
For over a decade, the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition (CCIC) has worked to increase childhood immunization through coalition building, provider education, community outreach, and legislative advocacy. As a way of thanking its partners and supporters in a fun and creative way, the nonprofit hosted its second annual SOUP! Event in April 2009.
Passport Health Colorado was an event sponsor for the soup-tasting event that raised awareness and more than $11,000 for childhood immunizations. The event also honored Colorado's "Big Shot of the Year," Dr. James Todd. In addition to networking and celebrating, guests sampled a variety of soups, breads, and desserts from Denver's premier restaurants and voted for the Best Soup and Most Creative Soup of the year.
The event drew nearly 200 of Colorado's pediatricians, physicians, nurses, educators, legislators, and public health experts to further CCIC's mission of working with local physicians, nurses, and health departments to get kids the immunizations they need to stay healthy.
To learn more about SOUP! (including the winning recipes), visit CCIC
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The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training
Organized by Travel Health Specialist and owner of Travel Med Inc. San Diego, Gina Flaharty, NP, TEAM PASSPORT HEALTH is raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma from taking more lives.
Over the past 20 years, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT) has grown to become an unparalleled sports training program. More than 389,000 participants, from first-timers to seasoned athletes, have trained with the Team and achieved their best at marathons, half marathons, triathlons, 100-mile century bike rides and hiking adventures.
Gina's team members are completing their events in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!
Please visit Gina's TNT Page
Click for more information on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training
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The Rise School of Denver
Rise & Shine Golf Tournament
Research shows that early intervention in a child’s life will provide the means to become a productive, independent and social community member. The Rise Program strives to encompass key developmental aspects that will have a meaningful and lasting impact on each child and family.
The Rise School of Denver began in 2003 when a group of motivated parents concluded that the metro area needed a comprehensive preschool program that focused on early intervention for children with disabilities. Modeled after the Alabama Rise School which opened in 1974, the program offers: full day classes, small class sizes, an excellent teacher-to-children ratio, an inclusive environment, and the delivery of therapies within the context of the preschool day. These services are offered to children with and without identified special needs such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Angelman Syndrome.
Organized by the law firm Messner & Reeves, the Rise & Shine Golf Tournament supports the efforts of the Rise School of Denver. Passport Health Colorado has been an event sponsor since 2008.
Click to learn more about the Rise School of Denver
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Compassion International
Sponsoring children in need is breaking the cycle of poverty. Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.
Founded by the Reverend Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion International began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education, and health care along with Christian training. Today, Compassion International helps more than 1 million children in 25 countries.
Click to learn more about Compassion International
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Colorado Friends of the Lost Boys of Sudan
The Lost Boys of Sudan were among nearly 16,000 boys (ages 5 to 11 at the time) forced to flee from their southern Sudan villages in 1987, when Islamic militants from northern Sudan attacked their villages. Most women and girls were killed or captured; villages burned, and parents shot. In an instant, the young boys were forced to become men in order to survive.
The Lost Boys trekked for years up to Ethiopia, back to Sudan, and finally to a refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya. Many thousands were killed by soldiers or lions and other wild animals. Others drowned or were eaten by crocodiles as they crossed rivers. Still more died of starvation and disease. The Lost Boys who managed survive spent 9-10 years of their lives in the Kakuma Refugee Camp.
Colorado Friends of the Lost Boys of Sudan (CFLBS) is committed to assisting in the education, job training, and general welfare of Sudanese refugees known as The Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan who have been displaced by civil war in Sudan and are currently living in Colorado.
CFLBS was formed by Jean Wood, a retired high school teacher, who had been deeply moved by reports of the plight of the young men and women of Sudan. Because the financial needs are great, the CFLBS Board writes and submits grants to various foundations, as well as conducts fundraisers.
CFLBS is governed by seven-person board, including one Lost Boy leader from the Sudanese refugee community. Meetings are held approximately once a month. There is no formal staff, nor is the board compensated. Board members and volunteers perform all "staff" functions. 100% of proceeds go into helping the Lost Boys.
It is the goal of the CFLBS to see these young men and women become fully self-sufficient, educated, healthy, and contributing citizens of Colorado. The mission includes helping them to one day return to Sudan as educated adults and start the rebuilding process in their beloved country.
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