Project C.U.R.E.

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You are here: Barbara and Merl Jacobsen Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Quarter

PROJECT C.U.R.E. Becomes One Couple's Life's Work

		You would never guess in talking with Barbara Jacobsen that she was a reluctant first-time visitor to Africa 14 years ago. Her husband, Dr. Merl Jacobsen, a retired family practice physician, convinced her to travel to Africa with him as part of a medical delegation for PROJECT C.U.R.E. She was initially apprehensive of the primitive environment, but the experience proved to be life-transforming. Since that time, the couple has fully immersed themselves in the work of PROJECT C.U.R.E.
Shortly after returning from their trip to Africa, they threw a party to benefit PROJECT C.U.R.E. The invitation list was comprised of their friends in the medical profession, and they requested that each guest bring some sort of medical supply or equipment to donate. They had bought a standard packing box thinking it would be sufficient in holding all of the donated goods, but the medical supplies brought by their friends ended up filling their balcony. The Jacobsens had to hire a moving truck to transport the donations from their house to PROJECT C.U.R.E. Since their initial trip, the Jacobsens have traveled to China, Bolivia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, and nine other African countries with PROJECT C.U.R.E. Barbara's experiences in Africa prompted her to write several books, with all profits from the sales being donated to PROJECT C.U.R.E.’s international medical outreach. Her most recent release is a children’s book titled Journeys into Everland. For his part, Dr. Jacobsen is the lead volunteer in charge of sorting medications for PROJECT C.U.R.E.’s Denver Operations. He has received many awards for his volunteer work with PROJECT C.U.R.E., including Rotary International’s prestigious “Service about Self Award.” Together, the Jacobsens have donated numerous hours, championing the cause within the community and the Rotary organization, including setting up displays at various trade shows and speaking at Rotary functions. The couple helped to raise $500,000 for the Littleton Rotary Club Foundation to fund a permanent sorting and distribution warehouse for PROJECT C.U.R.E. and its International Headquarters Office. Twice monthly the Jacobsens gather at the PROJECT C.U.R.E. Denver Sorting Center to lead groups of volunteers in sorting and packing medical supplies. One of their sorting teams is the largest and most regularly attended groups in PROJECT C.U.R.E.'s history. The Jacobsens are intimately aware of the positive impact that they are making on the world and are just two examples of the thousands of dedicated members of the C.U.R.E. Corps. In her time with PROJECT C.U.R.E., Barbara has come to realize that, “Globally we are all one, we are interconnected and interrelated,” and she and Merl, as C.U.R.E. Corps volunteers, are helping to deliver health and hope to those who need it most. Interested in learning more about Barbara Jacobsen, PROJECT C.U.R.E. Angel Ambassador? Barbara Jacobsen graciously donates all proceeds from her inspirational books and CDs to further PROJECT C.U.R.E.'s mission of "Delivering Health and Hope to the World." Her books and CDs are now available at Denver-area Tattered Cover bookstores for a limited time. Learn more about Barbara's works, and her involvement with PROJECT C.U.R.E., on her website.

You would never guess in talking with Barbara Jacobsen that she was a reluctant first-time visitor to Africa 14 years ago. Her husband, Dr. Merl Jacobsen, a retired family practice physician, convinced her to travel to Africa with him as part of a medical delegation for PROJECT C.U.R.E. She was initially apprehensive of the primitive environment, but the experience proved to be life-transforming. Since that time, the couple has fully immersed themselves in the work of PROJECT C.U.R.E.

Shortly after returning from their trip to Africa, they threw a party to benefit PROJECT C.U.R.E. The invitation list was comprised of their friends in the medical profession, and they requested that each guest bring some sort of medical supply or equipment to donate. They had bought a standard packing box thinking it would be sufficient in holding all of the donated goods, but the medical supplies brought by their friends ended up filling their balcony. The Jacobsens had to hire a moving truck to transport the donations from their house to PROJECT C.U.R.E.

Since their initial trip, the Jacobsens have traveled to China, Bolivia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, and nine other African countries with PROJECT C.U.R.E. Barbara's experiences in Africa prompted her to write several books, with all profits from the sales being donated to PROJECT C.U.R.E.’s international medical outreach. Her most recent release is a children’s book titled Journeys into Everland. For his part, Dr. Jacobsen is the lead volunteer in charge of sorting medications for PROJECT C.U.R.E.’s Denver Operations. He has received many awards for his volunteer work with PROJECT C.U.R.E., including Rotary International’s prestigious “Service about Self Award.”

Together, the Jacobsens have donated numerous hours, championing the cause within the community and the Rotary organization, including setting up displays at various trade shows and speaking at Rotary functions. The couple helped to raise $500,000 for the Littleton Rotary Club Foundation to fund a permanent sorting and distribution warehouse for PROJECT C.U.R.E. and its International Headquarters Office.

Twice monthly the Jacobsens gather at the PROJECT C.U.R.E. Denver Sorting Center to lead groups of volunteers in sorting and packing medical supplies. One of their sorting teams is the largest and most regularly attended groups in PROJECT C.U.R.E.'s history.

The Jacobsens are intimately aware of the positive impact that they are making on the world and are just two examples of the thousands of dedicated members of the C.U.R.E. Corps.

In her time with PROJECT C.U.R.E., Barbara has come to realize that, “Globally we are all one, we are interconnected and interrelated,” and she and Merl, as C.U.R.E. Corps volunteers, are helping to deliver health and hope to those who need it most.

Interested in learning more about Barbara Jacobsen, PROJECT C.U.R.E. Angel Ambassador?
Barbara Jacobsen graciously donates all proceeds from her inspirational books and CDs to further PROJECT C.U.R.E.'s mission of "Delivering Health and Hope to the World." Her books and CDs are now available at Denver-area Tattered Cover bookstores for a limited time. Learn more about Barbara's works, and her involvement with PROJECT C.U.R.E., on her website.

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