Superhero Sunday

We spoke with Manager of Philanthropic Events at CT Children’s Foundation Erika Glebocki about the event Superhero Sunday.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, Thank you for listening to Community Access. My
guests today are Luke Reynolds, director of Wall for a Cure,
and Erica Glabaki, manager of Philanthropic Events at Connecticut Children's Foundation.
Good morning, thank you for having us.

Speaker 2 (00:16):
Good morning, Yes, thank you for having us.

Speaker 1 (00:18):
So you have an event coming up called Superhero Sunday.
What is Superhero Sunday.

Speaker 3 (00:24):
Superhero Sunday's a wonderful event and this is going to
be our third annual Superhero Sunday event. And Superhero Sunday
is really a compliment to Superhero Day at the hospital,
and it's designed to honor and support those who we
regard as the true superheroes are resilient patients, incredible families,

(00:45):
and the more than three thousand dedicated team members who
provide care and support at Connecticut.

Speaker 1 (00:51):
Children's So what happens that day?

Speaker 3 (00:54):
Yeah, So, Superhero Sunday is based around the Superhero Sunday
five k, which is incredible opportunities for runners and walkers
and even those who want to roll the five k
on our completely paved course. But community super Sunday has
become a lot more than just the five k. This year,
for the first time ever, we have a Kid's Kids

(01:17):
Mile for ages five through twelve, and we also have
our Community Bash, which we've had for the last three years,
which is filled with activities for kids and adults. And
that Community Bash is completely free for all members of
the public.

Speaker 1 (01:32):
Oh nice, I need the Kids Mile five K.

Speaker 3 (01:37):
We're pushing ourselves. We're trying to fall suit with these
amazing kids receiving treat Absolutely.

Speaker 1 (01:43):
Absolutely. How did wallfer A Cure get involved with this event?

Speaker 3 (01:46):
Yeah, Ball for Cures a community nonprofit that started in
West Harford about ten years ago with a mission to
support low income and financially vulnerable patients and families receiving
care at Connecticut Children's. So this was a natural partnership
for us when we talk to our friends and counterparts
at Connecticut Children's about hosting a run to really bring

(02:10):
what happens at the hospital and that superhero day to
life in the community where the wonder of what happens
at Connecticut Children's can be experienced by, you know, members
of the greater public too, who might not be walking
through the hospital doors or through the hospital towers each day.

Speaker 1 (02:29):
Do you have a web address that people can go.

Speaker 3 (02:31):
To, Yes, we do. We are Ball for a Cure
dot org and that's for the number, but you can
also follow us on Instagram Ball for a Cure, Inc.
And you can register today for Superhero Sunday at Connecticut
Children's Foundation dot org.

Speaker 1 (02:47):
And so, who benefits from Superhero Sunday And how are
the funds used that you raise?

Speaker 2 (02:54):
Yeah, so Superhero Sunday is a really incredible way that
we raise critical funds for our greatest aid Children's Fund
at Connecticut Children's And this fund provides support for the
most immediate and essential needs of our health system. And
right now, our current greatest need is our new eight

(03:15):
story tower, which is on track to open at the
end of this year. If you've been in downtown Hartford,
you've seen the cranes, you've seen the beautiful new building
that's being constructed. And this new tower has fifty private
neonatal ice rooms, which provides the best care for babies

(03:36):
and families, and also has a space that we'll be
able to do bone marrow transplants for kids, which normally
we would have had to send them out of state
because we didn't have that service, and now we're able
to keep them at home and in state for that
life Saving Care.

Speaker 1 (03:53):
Wonderful, that's so amazing. How much money have you raised
in the past, So.

Speaker 2 (03:58):
The past two years can buy have been a total
of one hundred and twenty five thousand dollars and we
have a very ambitious goal this year of one hundred
thousand dollars for just this year alone, So we are
over halfway there and excited to smash that goal for sure.

Speaker 1 (04:17):
So how much does a cost if someone would like
to participate?

Speaker 3 (04:21):
Yeah, so for right now, we still have our early
bird pricing going. So for youth and adults who want
to participate in the five k, it is thirty five
dollars right now, and if a five to ages five
to twelve want to participate in the kids mile, it's
currently twelve dollars. And as I mentioned before, the Community
Bash is completely free and all registrants of the five

(04:44):
k or kids k will receive a race bib, a
free T shirt and a medal at the end for
completing the course.

Speaker 1 (04:53):
So if you don't run, is there another way you
could help? Could you volunteer? Could you donate?

Speaker 2 (04:57):
Absolutely, we are looking for volunteers. Our event cannot help
happen without the talent of those who support in non
financial ways and the ways to make the event run.
But a big part of this, like I said, is
to raise money for Connecticut children. So the event runs

(05:18):
on a peer to peer fundraising effort. So we have
teams of individuals who have set goals individual goals for
themselves and they are fundraising with their networks.

Speaker 1 (05:32):
So yes, all of those.

Speaker 2 (05:34):
Donations really make a huge impact to the greatest need
Children's fund and allow for that immediate medical, emotional and
social care that our patients really rely on.

Speaker 1 (05:47):
And what is a web dress they can go to
if they would like to donate or get involved.

Speaker 2 (05:52):
Sure, so you can go to Connecticut Children's Foundation dot
org and then there'll be a link to Superhero Sunday
and then all of the information is there as well
as ways to donate and register for the event.

Speaker 3 (06:09):
And I should say, well, this is an amazing event
for individuals and families to get involved with because it
really is a family affair. It's also a great event
for local businesses to get involved with, and we have
sponsorship opportunities for local businesses and organizations. And we're also
incredibly excited to announce that we have a presenting this
sponsor this year FNF Mechanical. So for other organizations who

(06:33):
want to show their support for Connecticut Children's, this is
a great way to do. So.

Speaker 1 (06:37):
You mentioned the Community Bash earlier. Is there anything else
you'd like to tell us about it?

Speaker 3 (06:41):
Yeah, the Community Bash, just to you know, get more specific,
it's we have tons of superhero themed activities for kids,
such as mask and keep making, bracelet making, family Superhero yoga,
different games and activities to get the wiggles out of
your little ones. Plus tons of great health and well
being information from some of the departments at Connecticut Children's.

(07:04):
There's also going to be music playing the whole time.
There's going to be food trucks there. So really this
is an event that you can come sit down and
really just enjoy the fun. And it's a great way
to cap off your weekend.

Speaker 1 (07:17):
And what is that date again? And where is it again?
So people if they're just joining.

Speaker 2 (07:21):
Us, So it is on Sunday, April twenty seventh. It
is taking place at Cove Park in Weathersfield, Connecticut, and
registration opens at nine am. Our five k kicks off
at ten thirty, followed by the Kids Mile and then
the fun continues until.

Speaker 1 (07:41):
One thirty beautiful. Can families bring their own lunch and
snacks or will there be food there?

Speaker 3 (07:47):
Yes, families can absolutely bring their own lunch and snacks,
but there's also going to be some incredible food trucks
there from local restaurants, So it's a great opportunity to
experience different cuisine and support local So you're more than
welcome to bring your own food there.

Speaker 1 (08:03):
You just covering all the bases to just checking off
all the ba making a great.

Speaker 2 (08:07):
PA want to make it as easy and enjoyable for
everyone of all ages.

Speaker 1 (08:13):
Is it rain or shine?

Speaker 3 (08:15):
Yeah, our superheroes are not deterred by the weather, so
we will be showing up rain or shine. Uh, and
we have so much planned for the day that the
weather possibly cannot possibly defeat.

Speaker 1 (08:26):
That tell me a little bit about these superhero kids.

Speaker 2 (08:30):
Oh my gosh, our patients are just incredible. And just
one of our patients that showcases who these superheroes are,
who we regard as a real life superhero is His
name is Nate, and Nate lives with sickle cell disease
and as a result, has had to have several amputations

(08:52):
in his life. But let me tell you Nate has
such a beautiful story. He was adopted by two of
his teachers at ten years old, and he's a big brother.
He has this flair for theater and acting, loves to
play basketball. Is just a light when he walks in

(09:12):
the room, and when you interact with him and all
of our superhero patients, you just can't help but be
inspired to make a difference and to want to be
like them and want to have that superhero attitude. And
so we'll get to see those all stars and superheroes

(09:35):
at the event, and it's just a really amazing way
to see the direct impact of what the event is.

Speaker 1 (09:43):
Yes, I think everybody should see that there's nothing worse
than if your child isn't feeling well, That's what I say.
And if we can bless them and make their lives
feel better as they're going through it, there's no greater gift, exactly.

Speaker 2 (09:55):
And I have to say, like, it's such a privilege
to be able to not just see the impact, but
feel the impact that these patients are team members, our
clinicians are giving, Like it is such a gift that
they give to us and the community because they are
shining light and they are just dealing with so much

(10:18):
in front of them, but take it head on and
are just there for us to lift us up. And
it's really that's what this is about. It's about coming
together and doing it together and that no one is
alone in the process.

Speaker 1 (10:34):
And whether it's them or the carecter.

Speaker 2 (10:36):
Exactly exactly, it's it's a true team effort. And like
I said, everyone is lifting each other up. You know,
you have the patients, you have their families, you might
have siblings, and again you have their care team, and
you have the community and their friends. Like it's like
all of these pieces coming together, and that's what this
is about. It's a place for all of those pieces

(10:57):
of the puzzle to just come together and celebrate and
to see the magic that happens, you know, behind the
walls of Connecticut Children's and who is a part of
our community.

Speaker 1 (11:10):
Wonderful. I'm speaking with Luke Reynolds, director of Ball for
a Cure in Erica Globaki, manager of Philanthropic Events at
the Connecticut Children's Foundation. The event is Sunday, April twenty seventh.
It's Superhero Sunday. It's at Cove Park in Weathersfield. Registration
is at nine the five k is at ten thirty.

(11:30):
Your websites again so people can go to them.

Speaker 2 (11:33):
Ballfourcure dot org and Connecticut Children's Foundation dot org.

Speaker 1 (11:38):
Thank you both for being here today. Thank you so much.