Monthly Friends Report: Two women engage in fun conversation while power walking and holding water bottles.

In this issue: Walking is so healthy that if it were a drug, it would be a blockbuster. But what is the magic number of steps you need each day?

Hello! If this is the first time you're receiving this newsletter, welcome! Our objective is to update you on the latest discoveries happening at CU Anschutz thanks to the power of philanthropy.

Every month, I scan our newsrooms for the stories our readers have told me they care about most.

In this issue ...

Melatonin alert: Ask your doctor about higher heart failure risk
Medicine cabinet: Essentials to stock before illness strikes
Cancer conversations: How to offer comfort and avoid clichés
Grape seed extract: Can it slow prostate cancer growth?
Is it measles? Rashes can fool even experts
Telomeres matter: Guard them to slow aging and disease
Clinical-trial myths busted: Don’t miss life-saving options
Cancer clues: Weight loss and bathroom changes can be early signs

Also ...
🚭Quit Smoking: Free Nicotine Patches and Support
🧀Crafting the Perfect Spread: Free DIY Charcuterie Workshop
🍄‍🟫Recipe: Boost Your Immunity with Mushroom Blended Meatballs!

Yours in health and discovery,

Julia Patrick

CU Anschutz Advancement Team

P.S. If you want to make sure we continue to land in your inbox once a month, please subscribe and tell us what topics we should include in future issues.

HEALTH + WELLNESS ADVICE FROM OUR EXPERTS

Do you really need 10,000 steps a day? What’s the magic number?

Taking melatonin for sleep? It’s time to talk to your doctor. A cardiac pharmacist weighs in on a study that linked the popular supplement to a 90% higher risk of developing heart failure.

Stock your medicine cabinet like a pro with the essentials needed for everyday illnesses and emergencies. Don’t let a midnight fever or surprise stomach bug catch you off guard.

How to talk about cancer with someone newly diagnosed – and what to avoid. The desire to reassure someone with cancer might lead us to say things that might be unintentionally hurtful. So what do you say?

New analyses of earlier research have shown that hormone therapy is safe and effective for many women going through menopause.

How does your body tell you that you have cancer? Weight loss, sleeplessness and changes in bathroom habits could be early warning signs.

Grape seed extract has been investigated to see if it can help reduce blood cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. But can it also help slow down the growth of prostate cancer in men who have already undergone treatment?

Strength training for women, especially those over 50, has been overlooked for a long time, but it’s finally getting the attention it deserves. It might even help you live longer.

Measle mimickers and spotting the difference. Diagnosing measles is not always a slam dunk. Rashes, especially in children, are common, so it can take some detective work to confirm a measles diagnosis.

Ever wondered how tiny cell ‘caps’ could shape your health? Discover how telomeres influence aging, inflammation and cancer – and how scientists hope to learn how to protect them.

Debunking 8 myths about cancer clinical trials. Misunderstandings about clinical trials – what they are and how they work – keep some people from accessing the life-saving treatments they offer.

LATEST DISCOVERIES + BREAKTHROUGHS

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults, especially those over 65. Early next year, the CU Cancer Center will start the first human trial of a new T-cell therapy for AML cases that don’t respond to standard treatments.

Doctors at CU Anschutz recently used a cutting-edge Neuropixels device to study Parkinson’s disease, implanting it in the brains of three patients to learn how the disease affects thinking and decision-making. It’s the first time the FDA has approved this technology for this kind of research.

Researchers discovered that special cells in the lymphatic system help the body “remember” past infections. These cells store pieces of viruses and bacteria, helping the immune system respond faster – a finding that could lead to better vaccines and treatments.

Why does lobular breast cancer respond differently to hormones? New insights are paving the way for personalized therapies that could improve outcomes for thousands of patients in the years ahead.

A specific immune cell, MAIT cells, can worsen gut inflammation and may play a key role in diseases like Crohn’s and colitis. This discovery could lead to universal therapies that target these cells and help manage inflammatory bowel diseases more effectively.

If you’ve had a concussion or head injury, have 20/20 vision and still experience vision problems, Jeffrey Hebert, PhD, is uncovering answers.

Philanthropic Spotlight

2025 Breakthroughs Fueled by People Like You

Scientists in white lab coats examining data on a computer screen together.

Thanks to the generosity of our private supporters, 2025 was a year of groundbreaking discoveries that are transforming health and advancing care.

Ovarian cancer: New therapy in Phase 1 trial

Breast cancer: Antibody beats current treatments in lab

Alzheimer’s: Blood test for early detection underway

Esophageal cancer: Study improves screening accuracy

Mental health: Launching the CU Anschutz Campus Mental Health Collaborative to improve access and interventions for adults and children in need of care

The breakthroughs of tomorrow depend on the choices we make today. Your year-end gift empowers researchers to push boundaries and deliver solutions faster.

Want to turn promising ideas into life-changing realities in 2026?

MAKE A YEAR-END GIFT

ONLINE, DEC. 10
Crafting the Perfect Spread: DIY Charcuterie Workshop
Join this free virtual class from home. A shopping guide will be provided so you can personalize your board with all your favorite ingredients.

FREE: QUIT SMOKING
Free Nicotine Patches and Support
Colorado residents can join a stress-free program via the 2Morrow Health app. Get tools and a free two-week supply of nicotine patches delivered – no prescription required.

I WANT TO QUIT

STARTS JAN. 6
Workshop: The Menopause Journey
Expert guidance, symptom management strategies and community support for overall well-being. Cost is $100 for four sessions, 12 - 1 p.m., Tuesdays.

LEARN MORE

Cast iron skillet with browned meatballs garnished with a sprig of thyme.

Recipe: Mushroom Blended Meatballs

This simple recipe adds vegetables to a meat-lover's favorite dish without sacrificing the familiar taste and texture of a classic meatball.

Mushrooms are rich in B vitamins, antioxidants, potassium, copper and selenium, an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage, supports heart health and may aid immunity.

GET THE RECIPE

Brain Teaser

Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Wednesday, Friday or Sunday?

Riddles test logic, lateral thinking as well as memory, engaging the brain to see patterns and connections between different things and circumstances.

See the answer >>

Want to make sure this newsletter lands in your inbox once a month? Subscribe today!

University of Colorado Anschutz
Office of Advancement | 303-724-8922

[email protected]
giving.cu.edu/anschutz