September 11, 2014 VOLU M E 9 1 | I S SUE 4
LakewoodSentinel.com A publication of
J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
Giving to the greatest generations Lakewood hosts veterans fair By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com Veterans are one of the most directly impacted by unemployment and government cutbacks, but Lakewood is offering a free one-stop shop for veterans in need. More than 20 organizations that cater to both veterans and their families will participate in the West Metro Veterans Fair, 2-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24. The fair will be held at the Lakewood Link Recreation Center, 1295 S. Reed St.
IF YOU GO WHAT: West Metro Veterans Fair WHERE: Lakewood Link Recreation Center 1295 S. Reed St., Lakewood WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 24 2 to 7 p.m. COST: Free INFORMATION: www.lakewood.org/VeteransFair “We only invited nonprofits who serve veterans, but we have groups coming from local, state and federal levels,” said Scott Hefty, chief probation officer with Lakewood, and a veteran himself. “We have local groups like the Action Center and Fam-
ily Tree, Colorado Lawyers for Colorado Veterans and representatives from the VA (Veterans Administration).” The fair is open to the public and all veterans and their families and will give visitors a chance to learn about benefits, housing options, health care, employment and counseling. “We held an event like this last year and had a great turnout, so we’re excited to host it again and by the support from the community,” said Norm Brisson, court administrator with Lakewood. “We wanted to make sure this year we had organizations that specialize in providing information for caretakers of veterans.” Frederick Davis, retired sergeant of the
U.S. Army, and Dr. Donald K. Winter from the Denver VA Medical Center are the keynote speakers and will talk at 3:30 p.m. Heft said that he experienced the labyrinth of rules and regulations as a veteran and wants to make sure that others know the best way to get the services they need. “There are services available that many may not be aware of, and so we want to provide them with all the information they need in one place,” he said. Brisson added that many veterans are looking for a way to continue their service and help others, and this event will allow them to do just that. For more information, visit www.Lakewood.org/VeteransFair.
Warren enlisted to stump for Udall Rally kicks off ground campaign By Glenn Wallace
gwallace@colorado communitymedia.com
Participants in the Free to Breathe event can run or walk to raise funds for lung cancer research. Courtesy photo
Awareness in the air
Free to Breathe spreads word about lung cancer By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com
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f you have lungs, you can get lung cancer. It’s a simple message, but the stigma that the disease only affects smokers has hampered countless sufferers from getting the proper care and the public from funding research to the level it deserves. Few know this better than Teresa MacKillop, a Lakewood resident who lost both her mother and sister to the disease within the past decade — nonsmokers who had limited exposure to secondhand smoke. “My goal is to raise awareness and get rid of the harmful stigma,” MacKillop said. “No one deserves to die like that — it’s horrible for everyone.” In the honor of her family, the other lost and those still fighting, MackKillop is working to spread the word about the 5th Annual Denver Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk. The race will be 7:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Washington Park, 701 S. Franklin St. Denver. “Free to Breathe does events all over the country with the goal of doubling lung cancer survival rates by 2022,” said Annie Walsh, event co-chair. “We have
Participants in the Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk are participating to raise funds for lung cancer research. Many, like Lakewood resident Teresa MacKillop, have lost family to the disease.
IF YOU GO WHAT: Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk WHERE: Washington Park 701 S. Franklin St., Denver WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 5 7:30 to 10:15 a.m. COST: Advance, $30; Day-of, $35 INFORMATION: www.freetobreathe.org all ages participate in the run and walk, and it’s very relaxed — people can bring their children in strollers or dogs along.” MacKillop first became involved in the race when she participated with her
son at the behest of her mother. Since then she has been swept up in a desire to spread the word and has gotten the rest of her family and coworkers involved as well. “People get the disease from environmental factors, from genetics — there are all kinds of ways,” she said. “I want people to be energized to raise money and fight this.” Walsh said lung cancer is one of the most dangerous forms of the disease — in particular, it claims more women’s Air continues on Page 5
Colorado Sen. Mark Udall and fellow Democrat candidates on the November ballot held a rally Friday afternoon, marking the kick-off of their ground campaign, bolstered by a visit from Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. More than a hundred volunteers and spectators filled the Wheat Ridge campaign office of Congressman Ed Perlmutter, DGolden, for the event. “It’s time to get the word out!” Udall said to the crowd, many of whom had come to the rally to receive initial training on volunteering for his campaign. Udall noted that mail-in ballots will be sent out in October. Udall helped introduce Warren, calling her “a fearless advocate for consumer protection,” and touted his work with the Massachusetts senator on the issues of credit protection and college loan affordability. The warm welcome for Warren, a highprofile advocate for financial reform and progressive causes, comes two months after a visit to Denver by President Barack Obama. In contrast, Udall stayed in Washington D.C. during the president’s fundraising event in his honor, a move seen as trying to limit his association to a president with struggling poll numbers. At Friday’s rally, the Democrats presented a unified front against Udall’s Republican opponent, Corey Gardner. Warren praised Udall as a “fighter” for the middle class, and especially women. “Corey Gardner believes women are doing just fine. They’re worth 77 cents on the dollar. They can make ‘most’ of their own health care choices,” Warren said. Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Perlmutter also spoke. The senate race between Udall and Gardner is seen as one of the most competitive in the nation, and could be pivotal in deciding political control of the Senate come November. In response to the news that Warren would be stumping for Udall, the National Republican Senatorial Committee released a statement, criticizing Udall for aligning himself with her “extreme agenda.” The statement specifically noted Warren’s opposition to the Keystone Pipeline and support of a European-style health care system. “Democrats in Washington have panicked and are calling in the cavalry to save Mark Udall, who’s running a stale and tired campaign,” said NRSC Press Secretary Brook Hougesen.