Raising funds through a benefit concert to support the CT Brain Tumor Alliance in finding a cure!
Date: September 20, 2019
Where: Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave, Branford, CT 06405
Start Time: 6:30 PM
Live music by Blanket Statement!
Join us for a fun night of music, food, drinks, and great company! We will have an exciting raffle and live auction taking place throughout the night.
Fundraising
We’re excited to announce that this year’s Playing for a Cure: Brainstormin’ will include the opportunity for each individual to raise additional funds for the CTBTA. In addition to buying a ticket or donating, you can fundraise to support our efforts, and help raise critical funds for Brain Tumor patients, caregivers, and families. Additionally, if you sign up to fundraise for the event, you can earn an OPEN BAR by fundraising $250 for the CTBTA.
That’s right! Fundraising $250 will get you an open bar for the evening. When purchasing your ticket, all you have to do is click on “Fundraiser + Attendee” to buy your ticket, set up a personal fundraising page, and begin fundraising. If you’ve already purchased your ticket, you can still create a fundraising page by going to the event site and clicking on “Buy Ticket, or Become a Fundraiser,” and choosing to fundraise.
We appreciate those who fundraise without first purchasing their ticket, but you must buy a ticket in order to be eligible for the open bar benefit of fundraising $250. For those who don’t want to fundraise, don’t worry! Those who purchase a ticket and do not raise $250 will still receive their first beverage on us.
For More Information on Fundraising and Tickets, visit here!
The CT Brain Tumor Alliance is excited to be hosting this special event that was started 6 years ago by the family members of our Executive Director, Chris Cusano.
The Story
For two years, the group 'Musicians of North Haven', founded by Stephen Cusano, had been performing give back concerts to benefit the school district's music department. In 2014, Stephen decided to redirect his benefit concert to a more personal cause. Stephen's brother, Chris, was diagnosed with a central neurocytoma in 2008 and became a patient at Yale New-Haven Hospital; who became the new recipient of the concert funds. The 2014 concert was the beginning of something special. It was the day that Dr. Piepmeier announced that the donation was the start of The Cusano Family Brain Tumor Fund. To this day, almost $200,000 has been donated to the Yale Brain Tumor Center as a result of this fundraiser. Now, in conjunction with the CTBTA and the Cusano family, event proceeds will benefit all of the brain tumor centers in Connecticut in the CTBTA's ongoing quest to make this state a center of excellence in brain tumor care.
The Meaning Behind the Ladybug
The logo was inspired by a symbol that has been a part of the Cusano family since Chris was diagnosed. After his first two surgeries in 2008, Chris went back to Yale for his neuropsychological testing and his father prayed while in the backyard, asking for a sign that Chris would be okay. At that moment, a ladybug flew over and landed on his shoulders, sitting there for hours. In 2014, when Chris had his follow up MRI, a ladybug landed on his father's office wall, giving him comfort in knowing that Chris' scan would be clear after the gamma knife surgery the past December. Then, most recently, when the family's loyal dog, Chip, passed away last August, Chris sat outside, reflecting and looked up at the sky, said a prayer for his best friend and by the time he looked back down, a ladybug was sitting there, staring at him. The ladybug is more than just luck - she symbolizes hope, fight and perseverance.
If you are interested in hearing more about Chris's story, check out his blog here.
