Photo: (from left front row): Joe Furey, Chief Meteorologist at WTNH, Tim Parker, Vice President of New Country Motor Cars of Hartford, Jennifer Loughran, Executive Vice President & Board Member of the Ron Foley Foundation and Barbara Foley, President & Board Member of the Ron Foley Foundation. Photo courtesy of Rachel Adele Studios.
10TH ANNUAL RON’S RUN FOR THE ROSES CHARITY GALA
- KENTUCKY DERBY EVENT ON MAY 5TH RAISES FUNDS TO FIGHT PANCREATIC CANCER-
For ten years, the colorful hats and festive spirit of Ron’s Run for the Roses has supported a very serious cause. The annual Kentucky Derby Day gala is the signature event of the Ron Foley Foundation that is dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer. This year’s fundraiser will take place on Saturday, May 5th from 2:30 - 7:00 at Folly Farm in Simsbury. Attendees will enjoy entertainment, live and silent auctions and watch the running of the 144th Kentucky Derby live on a big screen.
To date, this Connecticut grassroots organization has raised a little over $1.8 million. More than $540,000 has been granted to hospitals and cancer centers for pancreatic cancer medical research and education. In addition, $176,000 has been provided to pancreatic cancer patients throughout New England, New York and New Jersey through the Foundation’s Ron’s Rescue fund and program.
“The ten year milestone is definitely bittersweet,” said Barbara Foley, President & Board Member of the Ron Foley Foundation. “With everyone’s support, the Foundation has grown to become a leader in raising much-needed funds. But our true hope is to find a cure so that no other families have to suffer.”
The Foundation was created to honor the memory of Barbara’s husband Ron Foley, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in 2005. Ron was a respected business leader who had just retired from The Travelers Insurance Company. His family and friends were determined to make a difference in the fight against pancreatic cancer. The Ron Foley Foundation, Inc. was granted 501(c)(3) status in 2010. Its mission is to fund medical research leading to improved diagnosis, more effective treatment and a cure. Promoting public awareness is essential to the charity’s mission.
Foley acknowledges the unwavering dedication of the Foundation’s volunteers and corporate benefactors that have contributed to the success of the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts. Meteorologist Joe Furey has served as the emcee of Ron’s Run for since 2012. New Country Motor Cars of Hartford has been the presenting sponsor of the event for the past seven years.
For more information about Ron’s Run CLICK HERE