Playing for the Cure: Brainstormin’ is 30 days away!  Along with my family and the Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance, I am really looking forward to another great year and building on the success we’ve had since 2014.

We’ll be back at Stony Creek Brewery in Branford for this annual event that celebrates brain tumor warriors, caregivers, doctors, nurses, family and friends as we gather together in our quest to find the cure and improve treatment methods.  I cannot say enough about the staff at the brewery, including Ed Crowley, Ali and Norm – you three make this a great event, and I am humbled by you bringing additional awareness to the cause during the month of September for your Charity Wednesdays!

Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Smilow Cancer Hospital/Yale New Haven Health, we are well on our way toward surpassing our goal of raising $50,000!  In addition, thank you to Carla’s Pasta, Specialty Packaging, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Beirne Wealth Consulting, Edge Technology Services, People’s United Bank, Al Mac Motors, BMO Harris Bank, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Russo, Russo & Slania, UKS, Blum Shapiro, Unitas Club, Guida’s Dairy, Stop & Shop and Webster Bank!  We could not do this without you and your loyalty over the years.  A big shout out to iHeart Media for your support and partnership with us, and to Renee DiNino, our emcee for the fifth straight year – we appreciate the enthusiasm and passion you exude. 

What began as a “concert” has morphed into a fun night out, all for a great cause.  We’ll have live music by Blanket Statement; pasta prepared by our friends at Carla’s; sandwiches and wraps donated by Shoreline Cafe and Catering; the best donuts from Beach Donuts; an amazing raffle and live auction which will include two tickets next to the dugout for the Red Sox/O’s game on September 28th, thanks to Mary Beth Rossi; as well as a separate raffle for the street scooter donated by Al Mac Motors.  Better yet, we are offering anyone that buys a ticket and raises $250 in donations or through a sponsorship a three-hour open bar (just be sure to bring a designated drive or Uber for the night, please!).

However, saving the best for last is the announcement of our decision to honor and celebrate the life of June Rice who passed last December after a courageous and hard-fought battle with brain cancer.  Though I was never fortunate enough to meet June, I am blessed to have formed a friendship with her son-in-law Ed Crowley, the owner of Stony Creek Brewery, and his wife Kim.  Late last summer, when Ed shared June’s diagnosis with me, my heart broke.  Always in my thoughts and prayers, I messaged him from time-to-time and I sensed hope and comfort when he sent me a photo of our poster promoting last year’s event in her room at Smilow.  The week following her passing, Ashley and I went to see Nick Fradiani play a holiday show at Infinity Hall in Hartford.  Seated two rows in front of us were Ed, Kim and their entire family.  Unbeknownst to me at that moment was the connection between Nick and the Crowley family, but suddenly, in the middle of the show,  Nick spoke about June and his friendship with Kim and her family.  His words were strong and poignant as he paid tribute to her by singing a beautiful rendition of Hallelujah, one of the songs he performed at her services.  Along with everyone else in the theater that night, I was moved and felt the hairs on my neck stand straight up.  This memorable and beautiful moment was the impetus that brought the aforementioned idea to life.

A couple months later, I met with Kim and Ed to discuss some ideas I had for the event.  As we began talking, it did not take long for me to realize what an impact June made on her family.  I wanted to do something special and kicked around some ideas internally and eventually, I landed on the creation of the June Rice Courage Award.  This award will be presented to three patients treated by June’s surgeon, all who embody her spirit and fight, and which I hope will serve as a permanent fixture of her legacy.

Through efforts such as this fundraiser and the awareness that results, I am confident that we will move the needle, even if just a little at a time.  Doctors and researchers are hard at work, looking to learn as much as they can about brain tumors and their genetic makeup to create targeted and precise treatments.  The day will come, I am sure of it; but until it does, the CTBTA will continue to provide hope and support, as well as funding for these important milestones.

If you have not done so yet, check out the link above to purchase your tickets and make a donation.  I hope to see you there!

Event Details

Date:  September 20, 2019
Doors Open:  6:30pm
Ticket Price:  General Admission – $40.00 through 9/19.  $50.00 day-of, if tickets remain.  Free for Brain Tumor Warriors
Live Music:  Blanket Statement

For tickets, donations and sponsorships, visit: https://ctbta.rallybound.org/brainstormin