Jazzed Helps Uninsured, Under Served People In Colorado

DENVER (CBS4)- Jazzed is an event that helps benefit uninsured and under served people in the Denver metro area.

The event benefits the Inner City Health Center.

Inner City Health Center CEO Kraig Burleson and jazz artist Hazel Miller talked about the importance of the event on CBS4 Weekend Morning News with CBS4's Kelly Werthmann and Dave Aguilera.

"Jazzed is an incredible event. It's actually the inspiration of Hazel Miller who is a patient of Inner City Health Center and we were having lunch one day and she was talking about an idea of giving back. One thing led to another and it led to Jazzed. This is our 5th annual benefit concert and it brings local artists who perform with Hazel. We have food, we have fun, we have incredible things like the chocolate therapist who is coming with exotic chocolate bars," said Burleson, CEO of Inner City Health.

Miller has been a jazz staple in the Denver community for 32 years.

"I lost my insurance after I got a letter in the mail saying that my small business was no longer profitable and that they were letting me go. I had 30 days to find insurance. Once one company lets you go, no one wants you. I was doing a benefit for Inner City Health and I asked if I could come over," said Miller. "He said 'Yes.'

"My first screening I found out I had diabetes. I few years later, I had been diagnosed with everything from a heart attack to a mild stroke."

"We still see a high percentage of individuals who are uninsured. You'd be surprised at how far away people come to us. About 40 percent of the people come from outside the City and County of Denver. They come as far away as Douglas County, Adams County, Arapahoe County, all the seven surrounding counties and well beyond, come to us for care," said Burleson.

Jazzed is Oct. 14 at the Wings Over The Rockies Museum. Attendees can buy tickets online at innercityhealth.org.