Your Stories: Barbara Gordon’s 17th Annual Backyard BBQ Raises Over $20,000

The 17th Annual Barbara Gordon Backyard BBQ was held on June 5 at Barbara’s home in West Hartford. This year, the special event raised over $20,000 to benefit the Karl J. Krapek, Sr. Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital.

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, who left her reporter position at the Hartford Courant to become a nurse, currently works on 7-7 at Saint Francis. Since their first party 17 years ago, the whole family has been cared for at Saint Francis, including Barbara’s late husband, Mark, son Andy, and Barbara herself. 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. Colleagues at the CWHC work with patients and their families to alleviate financial pressures so they are able to 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 coffee by Formal Indulgence, a 30-piece teacup raffle, a pinata, and bartending and salad services by Lt. Jason Powers and his fellow West Hartford firefighters.

Barbara, who turns 89 in August, was overwhelmed by the more than 100 guests who came to visit her and support Saint Francis. Hospital leadership was in attendance, including new president Valerie Powell-Stafford, FACHE, David Shapiro, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Dawn LeRoy, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Christina Metcalf, M.D., Director of Breast Surgery, and colleagues from the Women’s Center including Tina Harrison, Karen Rasmussen, Cristina Clavette, and Diane Gomes. Other guests included local elected officials, 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!

Submitted by Whitney Hubbs Dionne, Senior Philanthropy Officer, Saint Francis Hospital Foundation.

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