The Joyful Life Cochlear Implant Fund (JLCIF), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting uninsured and underinsured cochlear implant recipients, is set to host an exclusive Friendraiser event in Denver on July 24, 2024. This invite-only gathering aims to raise awareness and funds to help individuals maintain their cochlear implants, ensuring they continue to hear and participate fully in life.

Founded and run by cochlear implant recipients and parents of recipients, JLCIF intimately understands the profound impact these devices have on day-to-day life. As the only organization in the United States focused solely on assisting individuals who already have cochlear implants, JLCIF provides essential financial assistance to cover the high costs of repairing, replacing, and upgrading external sound processors.

The Friendraiser event, hosted at the City of Centennial Community Center near the Denver Tech Center, will offer a welcoming social atmosphere where attendees can network, connect, and learn about the transformative impact of cochlear implants. The evening will feature guest speakers, heartfelt testimonials from recipients, and insightful discussions on the importance of ongoing support for cochlear implant users.

“At Joyful Life Cochlear Implant Fund, we believe that a person’s ability to hear should not depend on their ability to pay,” said Angela Irwin, Executive Director of JLCIF. “Our Friendraiser event is an opportunity for the community to come together, celebrate our successes, and contribute to a cause that profoundly changes lives.”

Incorporated in Dover, Delaware, JLCIF maintains a national focus, supporting cochlear implant recipients across the United States. The organization not only ensures the functionality of these life-changing devices but also offers emotional support through confidence coaching, helping recipients navigate their hearing journey with resilience and optimism.

Denver holds a special place in the hearts of the JLCIF team. Angela Irwin, the founder and executive director as well as a cochlear implant recipient, formerly worked at Cochlear Americas in Lone Tree, Colorado, and lived in Colorado for several years. Michael Noble, the President of the Board and also a cochlear implant recipient, spent summers in Colorado with his grandparents and permanently lived there for 12 years while working for Cochlear Americas and Medtronic in Boulder, CO. Niki Wollan, who formerly worked at Cochlear Americas and currently resides in Winter Park, CO, is a parent to a cochlear implant recipient. Given these deep connections, Denver was the perfect location for JLCIF’s very first in-person event.

Since its inception in 2020, the JLCIF board is thrilled to come together in person for the very first time. Some members have never met in person, while others will be reuniting after numerous years. The board is composed of cochlear implant recipients, parents of recipients, and professionals in the medical device and hearing loss fields, who understand firsthand the importance of cochlear implant maintenance.

For more information about Joyful Life Cochlear Implant Fund and how you can support their mission, please visit www.jlcif.org or contact Angela Irwin at angela@jlcif.org.