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B*Cured Field Night Raises Funds For Brain Cancer Research

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By Rob Adams

Sentinel Broadcasting Manager/Reporter

The benevolent side of Greenwich was once again on display as the community came together to support B*Cured, a non-profit group that seeks to end brain cancer by funding research grants.

Based in Greenwich, the 501© 3 organization was founded by Debbie Needle and Melissa Salemé in 2008. It is now run by co-presidents Karena Bailey and Kristin Duda. The two co-presidents stopped by the studios of WGCH Radio to visit the Greenwich Sentinel Radio Hours’ Road to Significance program, hosted by Stephen Paletta.

While there, the duo recalled the successful night at Chelsea Piers CT in Stamford earlier this month. They also told Paletta what brought them to B*Cured.

“My mom, sadly, passed away of brain cancer – glioblastoma – when she was 44 years young,” Duda said. “I was 16 and my brother was six. It became part of my identity.”

Bailey also lost her mother to brain cancer, relaying a story of changes she saw in her mom’s behavior.

“She told me that she wanted to move to – I want to say Morocco, and when I asked her what should do with our dogs, she said she would euthanize them,“Bailey said.

Despite being “super healthy,” Bailey insisted that her mother be scanned immediately, despite being initially being rebuffed by a doctor.

“I said something I won’t say something on air,” Bailed added.

The result was a grapefruit-sized tumor. Her mother passed away 22 months later.

“This can not be something I watch anyone else go through,” she said.

Eventually Duda and Bailey met and formed a close relationship, bonded by their shared sense of loss and need to do what they can to end brain cancer. Each one brought skills from their careers, as Duda worked in public relations and marketing, while Bailey worked in event planning.

With a 10-person board of directors, and a community of volunteer committee members, there is little overhead for B*Cured to be concerned with.

“Karena and I work out of our home, coffee shops, and meet wherever we can,” Duda said.

The goal of Field Night was to raise money for to fund research grants. Since 2008, over $1.5 million has been raised.

The event at Chelsea Piers was the fifth annual, in which attendees ditch the suits and gowns for a loose, fun evening.

“It’s the sort of event where people come in sneakers and yoga pants and jeans. Plus tennis skirts, as tennis was our theme,” Duda said.

Guests could use the turf fields, batting cages, play ping pong, climb the rock wall, and lots more at the multipurpose facility in Stamford.

The bottom line, of course, was to raise money for B*Cured, and a new high was surpassed.

“We raised $250,000 in one evening,” Duda said on WGCH. “The numbers keep going up as people keep donating money, so that’s probably not the final tally.”

Bailey assured Paletta and radio listeners that donations are still being accepted, including flash sale auction items.

To learn more, check out the auction items, or donate, visit their website: bcured.org. There are also opportunities to volunteer and simply get involved.

Future events are on the calendar for those who want be engaged, including taking part in the New York Bike Tour in May as well as a golf gathering at Glenarbor Golf Club in June. May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month.

The New York City Marathon is also a fundraising opportunity for the organization, who is supportive of athletics.

“We fundraise up to about $100,000 if not more,” Duda said of B*Cureds’ involvement with the marathon.

She said there are still a few spots on the marathon and bike tour teams, but that they’re running out of space.

Bailey added that no opportunity is too small.

“ Kids do lemonade stands,” she said. It can be that small. Let’s make an opportunity with our kids that can make a difference.

There’s a small town feeling to B*Cured, and both Duda and Bailey spoke of the personal touch to help.

“We’re happy to meet someone for coffee,” Duda said. “We know that it’s an emotional time if someone has a loved one with brain cancer and they’re not really sure what to do.”

“As proud of the community growth as we are, it’s also a really sad realization that this is not going away,” Bailey said. “More and more people are getting involved because they’re being affected.”

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