Uplift International Board of Directors

Dr. Jaime Yrastorza left his native Philippines after graduation from high school to begin his collegiate studies at the University of Minnesota where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Then, he obtained a doctorate degree in dental medicine from Washington University and specialty training in oral-maxillofacial surgery from Georgetown University.

He maintained a private practice in Wheat Ridge, Colorado for 35 years before retiring in 1995.

He was a frequent lecturer and author of scientific publications, a diplomate of the American Board of Oral-maxillofacial Surgery and a Clinical Associate Professor of the University of Colorado School of Dentistry.

For 3 years immediately before and after retirement, he served as a United Nations Development Programme consultant in oral-maxillofacial surgery for the Philippines, helping to organize and develop a qualifying training program in his specialty at the St. Porres Charity Hospital of Manila.

On a personal note, Jaime remains active in his community as a Rotarian.

Thru this project, I get to practice meaningful medicine for no reason other than helping someone so deserving — I get compensated in a way the IRS cannot tax me: life-changing Smiles & Whistles!

Uplift Internationale is making an impact, doing an excellent job at enabling children to lead happy and healthy lives that they otherwise would not have.

The work is real, the results enduring, the gratification limitless; 2011 will be my 6th mission and I am glad to be a part of it. I encourage everyone to be a part of this endeavor -– give us your help and support.

I was born, raised and educated in the Chicago area, including medical school and an otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. My two years in the U.S. Navy included being the medical officer on a guided missile cruiser.

After doing my internship at the old Denver General Hospital and a general surgery residency at the old Colorado General Hospital, I knew I would eventually return to Denver. I have now been in the private practice of otolaryngology for 38 years in Denver, Highlands Ranch and now Littleton.

My first surgical mission with Uplift Internationale was last February. I was so impressed by the quality of the work done by Uplift Internationale that I accepted an invitation to be on their Board of Directors and definitely plan to go on the next surgical mission in February 2012.

Because of the wonderful work of Uplift Internationale my family and I can bring a smile to a child’s face and the joy to whistle.

We give hope to children and their families for a mere $250.00. What a very small price to be able to gift love and care.

I worked as an Operating Room Technician at Porter Memorial Hospital in Denver from 1977-1983, during which time I went back to school to earn my Registered Nurse degree. I continued to work in the operating room specializing on the cardiac surgical team until 1990. From 1990-2005 I worked as an office nurse and private scrub for Dr. Gerald Capoot.

Most recently I have volunteered at the Dumb Friends League in Health Care/Surgery services. I had the opportunity to be a part of the surgical team on the 2011 Operation Taghoy Mission. It was such a rewarding experience that I plan on coming back for the 2012 mission.

My favorite activities include skiing, golfing, bicycling, hiking and gardening.

Dan was born and raised in Colorado and went to Catholic elementary schools at St. Dominic’s, St. Joseph’s, and St. Mary Magdelene. He attended Regis High school and transferred to Wheat Ridge High, where he graduated in 1958. He attended City College of San Francisco, Regis College, Metro State and Rochester Institute of Technology. He began employment with The Rocky Mountain News in 1968 and retired in 2001.

Dan and his wife Marilyn live in Arvada and have five children and 7 grandsons. Their hobbies include raquetball, reading, bicycling and traveling.

Dan joined the Arvada Rotary Club in 2004 and has served as Public Relations Director, Membership Director and Secretary. He served as president of Arvada Rotary Club in 2007-8. He is very committed and passionate about Rotary and now serves as Assistant Governor of Area 10 in District 5450. Area 10 includes Arvada, Arvada Sunrise, Westminster 7:10, Westminster 12:10 and Wheat Ridge Rotary Clubs. He also serves as Rotary Liaison on the Board of Directors of Uplift Internationale, an organization committed to mending faces of unfortunate children in the Philippines who are born with cleft palates or cleft lips.

As a Rotarian who believes that all charitable dollars should fund the needy, I have found no other charity that does more with its money than Uplift Internationale.

A mere $250.00 gives a child in desperate need a new life.

It’s an honor to be associated with Uplift Internationale, an organization that has done so much for the hopelessly impoverished and afflicted children in the Philippines over the past decade plus.

Having been to the rural areas of the Philippines many times I have seen hundreds born with cleft lip and cleft palate — babies, children and adults.

Never in a thousand years would I have imagined these precious babies and children could be given a new lease on life for a mere $250. That’s what I call a miracle!

The work of Uplift Internationale is very important, and I should know. I was fortunate that my parents had both the access and the resources to get me medical attention to fix my cleft palate.

It is great to be involved in an organization that is giving children the same opportunities I had.

Just remember that these children can now smile, talk louder and walk faster because of our focused mending care.

I support Uplift Internationale because it is an outstanding organization that does wonderful work for children with facial deformities. It gives many of these kids their only chance for a normal life.