#2020.  Aside from 2008, this year has been the pits.  The struggles and difficulties all of us have faced continue to be a burden and we’re all hurting, so let’s hope these next three months go quickly and easily.

Nobody could have predicted the ever-changing landscape of the world we live in, but planning events and fundraising has been especially difficult.  Despite all of this adversity though, we reached our goal at Brainstormin’ thanks to the support of friends, family and the community!  Now on to the Path of Hope, albeit virtual this year, and we hope it will provide the same sense of community and togetherness as previous years.  There is still time to sign up!

Nonetheless, despite a global pandemic and civil unrest, brain tumors have not stopped and they will not stop until a cure is found, and neither will I.   Witnessing the strength and courage of the many patients and families I talk with on a weekly basis keeps me going and gives me the drive to do my part to offer assistance and provide a sounding board, but to also keep their spirits up and that hope alive.  Every day presents a new challenge, whether it is a last minute decision the day before our event to postpone due to weather so everyone can be outside, or planning a virtual 5K for the entire state of Connecticut, and for reasons such as these, finding time to write has escaped me and I apologize.  Fortunately, my family has come to my rescue and the entry below was penned by my parents – thank you, Mom and Dad.  Until next time…

As we told Chris, he has once again managed to steer the ship through adversity and roll with the punches.  

This past month has brought much reason to celebrate for Chris and our family.  We had another very successful Playing for the Cure: Brainstormin’ event at Stony Creek Brewery and appreciate all who supported again and helped Chris and the CTBTA reach their goal.  There were moments during the summer where Chris privately pondered canceling the event, but his commitment to the cause and the brain tumor community remained his driving force.  Seeing him give back and his desire to help others facing this disease gives us great pride.  He has come full circle, going from the patient to an advocate helping others.  There were hard decisions to make in planning the event though, including how many people to cap the event at to ensure each attendee felt safe and following the state’s evolving guidelines.  However, it wouldn’t be an event in which Chris was involved in without drama.  The day before the event, there were downpours and thunder and lightning in the forecast.   As my other son Stephen said following the event, Chris did his best Peyton Manning impression – he surveyed the field, stepped to the line and called an audible and then threw a touchdown in deciding to move the event to the next week without a hitch.  The evening was perfect and everyone raised a glass of Junebug and celebrated all who are fighting and remembering those we have lost.  It was a night to remember.  

The following night, Chris was honored as a 40 Under Forty by the Hartford Business Journal. 

This year’s theme was appropriately titled “Coping During Covid” and focused on each honoree’s perseverance despite the difficult environment caused by the coronavirus.  While we were sad that we could not join him and celebrate this accomplishment in typical fashion, we are very proud of his accomplishments and look forward to seeing what is in store next.  

We are thankful for each of you for being a friend to Karen and I, but to Chris as well.  As Chris said at Brainstormin’, one of the blessings in disguise about a brain tumor diagnosis are the friends you make along the way and we wholeheartedly agree.   Nobody should have to go through this journey alone and we are grateful for all your support and look forward to watching Chris continue to pay it forward with your love and support.  

Thank you, all.