After losing his wife, Tonie, to breast cancer in February 2023, Mark was determined to turn his grief into purpose. Despite advancements in treatment, Tonie had delayed seeking care out of fear, underscoring for Mark the critical importance of early detection and open conversations about health. In her memory, he established Tonie’s Fund, a 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to supporting early detection breast cancer awareness programs and providing scholarships to students pursuing careers in service and healthcare. Inspired by Tonie’s love of music and her West Virginia roots, the foundation raises funds through community concerts, including the “Tonie’s Country Roads Concert to College Tour.” Through this effort, Mark hopes to honor Tonie’s life, ensure her name is never forgotten, and help prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss by promoting education, testing, and support in the fight against breast cancer. Learn more >>
Chris Kelly Open for Cancer Research
The Chris Kelly Open tournament is held each year in memory of Chris and his mother, Lorraine, and their courageous battles with cancer. All proceeds go to the cancer research funds of the UCONN Medical Center and The Hospital of Central Connecticut.
Dedicated and staying fit together, a community of colleagues from The Hospital of Central Connecticut and MidState Medical Center participate in the annual CT Breast Health Initiative Race in the Park at Walnut Hill Park in New Britain. Team members raised thousands for the CT Breast Health Initiative, which supports breast cancer research across the state of Connecticut. To register or to learn more, visit www.ctbhi.org/the-race
The Heart & Vascular Institute at The Hospital of Central Connecticut holds its annual Heart-to-Heart: Women’s Wellness & Prevention event every September. This evening is dedicated to sharing valuable education about women and heart disease and raises funds to support the Women’s Heart Health Wellness Program. Learn more >>
MU Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma
For the past several years, the ladies of the MU Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma generously donates beautifully wrapped books to The Hospital of Central Connecticut Family BirthPlace for their Books for Babies project. Delta Kappa Gamma is an International honorary organization of women educators who are dedicated to improving literacy. The goal of the Books for Babies project is to provide parents and their children a positive start to future years of reading together; as daily reading from birth correlates to success in school.
In 2015, the Petit Family Foundation pledged a gift to the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. Since that time, Dr. William Petit, Jr, members of the Petit Family Foundation and employees at The Hospital of Central Connecticut team up to plant clusters of Four O’Clock flowers in honor of Michaela, Dr. Petit’s daughter. Once weather permits, Michaela’s favorite flowers are planted annually in the Healing Garden at the Cancer Institute for patients to enjoy. In conjunction with Michaela’s Garden Project, the Foundation raises funds to help promote youth participation in community services, the education of young people, especially women in the sciences; to improve the lives of those af¬fected by chronic illnesses; and to support efforts to protect and help those affected by violence. Learn more >>
Sorelle d’Italia in America
The Sorelle d’Italia in America organization has donated several thousand dollars to the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at The Hospital of Central Connecticut since 2010 when they began holding their fundraising gala in memory of Anna Lopreiato, one of their founders.
Together, We Can Make a Difference!