Neighbor News
Virtual golf event to support wellness program for Smilow cancer pts
WTNH personalities featured at Back 9 Social in Wallingford for golf event and cocktail party on Wednesday, June 4
For Kimberly Yates Carew, getting a breast cancer diagnosis in 2019 was devastating. Then she discovered the Zoom Yoga classes, the massage chairs while waiting to get the results of a biopsy, and the post-mastectomy bras afforded by Looking Forward, a wellness program for cancer patients at Yale New Haven Hospital’s Smilow Cancer Center. All were free.
“I could never pay back the comfort those services brought me but I can make sure others undergoing treatment are comforted,” said Yates Carew, now a 5-year cancer survivor as well as YNHH Auxiliary board member and chair of Looking Forward, as she and her team prepared for the 2025 Looking Forward virtual golf event and cocktail party.
The event, hosted by the YNHH Auxiliary, will be held on Wednesday, June 4 at Back 9 Social in Wallingford. WTNH’s Laura Hutchinson and John Pierson are featured designated drivers.
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According to Auxiliary president Hyman Glick, the designated driver hits into a screen showing a golf course. Then comes the measurement of the drive. There are awards for the male and female with the longest drive. The trophy is named for Ellen Swirsky, who founded the Looking Forward program over 30 years ago.
“She raised money to purchase wigs, hats, and scarves for women that were going into treatment at the time,” said Glick. “She basically taught people to draw eyebrows on, put scarves on their heads, just make them feel better when they’re going through treatments.”
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Last year’s event raised $58,000.
Other programs the Auxiliary has funded include the HOPE bracelet program, as well as amenities carts that offer items for patients undergoing treatments. There’s also the Beyond Beauty program, designed to address the visual side effects, challenges, and changes experienced during cancer treatment with licensed cosmetologists and certified hair and wig specialists from Yale New Haven Health.
“The program provided me comfort when I needed it the most,” said Yates Crew. “Let’s pay it forward.”
The Looking Forward virtual golf fundraiser and cocktail party will be held on Wednesday, June 4 from 5 pm to 8:30 pm at Back 9 Social, 805 Colony Road, Wallingford. For tickets, $50 each, or to make a donation, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/D08/. For more information, contact Billye Bradley at Billye.Bradley@ynhh.org or call 203-688-5717.
