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WEEK OF MAY 2, 2024
VOLUME 97 | ISSUE 22
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Making wishes come true
UCHealth partners with neurotech company CIONIC BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
At George Washington High School, an assembly took place for the school’s wish kid, Ke’Zon, 6, who has a kidney disease. Special guests of the assembly included Mickey Mouse and Manolo, a wish kid alum, and his entire firstgrade class at Downtown Denver Expeditionary School. BY CHRISTY STEADMAN CSTEADMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Nine Denver schools helped make some special wishes come true during this academic year. Students at these schools participated in Make-A-Wish Colorado’s student-led fundraising program, Kids For Wish Kids. The high schools’ Wish Week fundraising activities and events were unique to each school, and ran the gamut from a 5K and a dodgeball tournament to a talent show and school assemblies. Each of the Denver schools got a wish kid to support, and many got to visit the schools and meet the high schoolers who helped make their wishes come true. SEE WISHES, P2
A couple of students at DSST: Cedar High School operate a fundraising booth during the school’s Wish Week, which PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAKE-A-WISH COLORADO took place April 8-12.
VOICES: 10 | LIFE: 12 | CALENDAR: 15
UCHealth patients with mobility impairments due to a neurological diagnosis are now able to try the first FDA-cleared bionic piece of clothing, the CIONIC Neural Sleeve created by CIONIC neurotech company, which helps facilitate walking and moving the legs. The CIONIC Neural Sleeve – recognized by TIME Best Inventions, the Digital Hub Awards and more – enables those with mobility impairments, such as from multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, or strokes, to move with more comfort. Dr. Enrique Alvarez, assistant medical director of neurology at UCHealth University of Colorado, said devices such as the sleeve are used to help people stay active. The CIONIC Centers for Excellence allows UCHealth patients to get a sense for the device with physical therapists who have been trained with the equipment. While it’s currently available at the Anschutz campus, depending on the interest, Alvarez said the idea is to expand the device to locations such as Highlands Ranch. Inspired by his daughter’s mobility impairment, CIONIC Founder and CEO Jeremiah Robison wanted to explore what technology could do for similar patients. “Our goal was to take technologies that were effective for my daughter’s mobility in a clinical setting and integrate them into clothing that would extend those benefits to her everyday life,” said Robison. “Wearable medical devices that power coordinated care across clinical settings at home and on the go are the future of healthcare.” UCHealth University of Colorado, along with Craig Hospital and Neuro Physical Therapy, are the first in Colorado to join the CIONIC Centers for Excellence network, which provides neurological medical centers, like UCHealth, with exclusive training and access to the sleeve in the clinical care of patients. When it comes to treatment for an autoimmune disease like multiple sclerosis, doctors tend to focus on comprehensive care, Alvarez said. SEE PARTNERS, P3
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