June 5th marked the 17th annual Barbara Gordon Annual Backyard BBQ to benefit the Karl J. Krapek, Sr. Comprehensive Women's Health Center. This special event raised over $20,000!
Barbara Gordon and her daughter, Tracy Fox, are both grateful Saint Francis patients. Barbara wanted to give back to the hospital that saved her life, so she decided to throw a party. Tracy left her reporter position at The Courant and became a nurse, working on unit 7-7 at the hospital. Since their first party, the whole family has been cared for at Saint Francis - Barbara's late husband Mark, son Andy, and Barbara herself for several issues. She maintains that the care they all received is the most caring, compassionate, and advanced in the state. Over the last 17 years, the family has raised nearly $300,000. These funds support the free
mammogram program and patient assistance funds managed by the
Women's Center. The staff works with patients and their families to
alleviate financial pressures so they may focus on their treatment and
recovery.
This year's BBQ theme was a taco fiesta and included the Fuego Picante
Food Truck, music by Dan Gable and the Abletones, Iced coffees by
Formal Indulgence, a 30-item teacup raffle, a pinata, and bartending and
salad services by Lt. Jason Powers and his fellow firefighters. Barbara, who
turns 89 in August, was overwhelmed by the more than 100 guests who
came to visit her and support Saint Francis. They included hospital
leadership - Dr. David Shapiro, CMO, new President, Valerie
Powell-Stafford, Dawn LeRoy, CNO, Dr. Christina Metcalf, Director of the
Women's Center, and four of her staff - Tina Harrison, Karen Rasmussen,
Cristina Clavette and Diane Gomes, politicians, lifelong friends, her beloved
Firefighters, and neighbors.
Barbara is already planning next year's party and we have no doubt she will
pull it off!
