Raising funds through a benefit concert to support the CT Brain Tumor Alliance in finding a cure!
Date: September 2, 2021
Where: Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave, Branford, CT 06405
Start Time: 6:30 PM Live entertainment by Tim Palmieri!
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.
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, as it was the start of The Cusano Family Brain Tumor Fund. Today, the event proceeds are received by the CT Brain Tumor Alliance ("CTBTA") and benefit all of the brain tumor centers in Connecticut in the CTBTA's ongoing quest to make Connecticut a center of excellence in brain tumor care.
Through the CTBTA's relationship with Stony Creek Brewery, we have partnered with the Crowley family to honor and recognize the life and memory of June Rice, who courageously lost her battle to this devastating diagnosis, but we pledge to continue in her memory, as well as all of the current brain tumor warriors and fellow survivors, to raise awareness, inspire hope and ultimately, find the cure.
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.
