Eastern Connecticut realtors dig deep and donate $6,482 to TBBCF
By KATHLEEN EDGECOMB
The Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors gathered one night in October to taste local beer and wine, listen to some good music, connect with colleagues, and honor the survivors of breast cancer and remember those who have lost the battle.
ECAR raised $6,482 at the Oct. 12 “Spirit of Pink Tasting” and donated it to the to the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation. The group presented a check Nov. 15 to Sandy Maniscalco, co-founder of TBBCF.
Johanna D’Addario, a cancer survivor in her early 30s, and honorary chair of the TBBCF’s 2018 Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut, gave the keynote address. She talked about her struggles facing a cancer diagnosis at a young age but also spoke about being hopeful that a cure will be found. TBBCF donates 100 percent of its fundraising dollars for breast cancer research in the form of $100,000 grants. To date, TBBCF has awarded more than $4 million in research grants.
D’Addario, who walked the half marathon in October with her husband, mother and oncologist from Yale New Haven Hospital, Dr. Erin Hofstatter, told the group she is painfully aware that not all women survive breast cancer and that is why on-going research must be funded.
“On the outside no one knows I’ve been affected by breast cancer,” she said standing before the group looking healthy and hale in a hot pink dress. “Nothing about breast cancer is easy. But I’m good.”
Nicole Crimm of the Navy Federal Credit Union and David Johnston of Prime Lending were the co-hosts at the annual event. Donna Yother of Sava Insurance pointed out to her colleagues – 63 percent of Realtors in southeastern Connecticut are women – that she is proud to raise awareness about breast cancer and that donating to TBBCF to fund research is a must.
More than 125 guests sampled local beers and wine and tried their luck at a basket raffle while listening to the Tom Kauffman Trio.