We are Making a Difference Together
Connecticut Children’s Connection members help our physician-researchers unlock medical mysteries, not only for the patients and families in our community who depend on Connecticut Children’s, but also for grateful patients around the globe.
Funding Selection Announcement | 2023

Why We Connect for Our Children
A big problem in a tiny heart.
When Junior was born, in the fall of 2019, he was at 27 weeks’ gestation and weighed two pounds. Most of his organs were still developing, and he faced many health challenges. But perhaps the biggest was his heart. The valve between the two major arteries, which is open while a baby is in the womb, had failed to close, and blood was going to the wrong places. Connecticut Children’s interventional cardiologists were able to use a catheter to place a tiny mesh coil—the smallest such device ever placed in the state—to close off the opening and get his heart working right. Today, Telmo is thriving, a lively, loving three-year-old.

Missing genes and the power of love.
Five-year-old Mona is a one-of-a-kind girl. Literally. Her neurologist says she is likely the only child in the world who is missing two particular seizure-related genes.
In addition, Mona has something called secondary adrenal insufficiency, which impacts regulation of most of your bodies functions. With these conditions and associated symptoms, Mona requires constant attention, which means her parents have to work in shifts at their jobs, taking turns to be with Mona. And yet they are nothing but grateful.

Lucas was struggling.
Described by his mother as ambitious, then three-year-old Lucas had developed some very challenging behaviors early in the pandemic. Some might be quick to consider them typical for a toddler but his parents knew otherwise. His parents read books and tried various approaches, but Lucas' outbursts had reached crisis proportions. These meltdowns would happen multiple times every day, and each one would last an alarmingly long time.
Thankfully for Lucas, his parents made a decision to get help...and that has made all the difference to him and his family.

Nar almost didn’t make it.
As a baby, Nar was sick—a lot. And when he was almost two, he nearly died.
Within 24 hours of arriving at Connecticut Children's, he was on a ventilator, his kidneys were failing and he was not responding to aggressive antibiotics. Teams from across the hospital came together, looking for a diagnosis and a treatment. Imagine the relief, and uncertainty, felt by Nar's parents when the immunology team finally found what they needed to make a diagnosis.


Did You Know?
Medical research is only funded by investors, seed money and charitable donations. By becoming a member of Connecticut Children’s Connection, you will help our physician-researchers unlock medical mysteries, not only for the patients and families in our community who depend on Connecticut Children’s, but also for grateful patients around the globe.
2023 - 24 Steering Committee Co-Chairs
Lianne Gabriele
Grateful Parent, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Senior Director of Marketing Yale Locks, Fortune Brands Innovations
Brian Keena
Managing Director, Construction, Energy and Marine, Travelers
2023 - 24 Committee Members
Nell Acosta
Annual Funding Selection Event Co-Chair
VP, Digital Acquisition & Relationships, Webster Bank
Natalie Bezler, MD
Membership Co-Chair
Physician, Connecticut Children’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders
Nina Camarata
Volunteer and Experience the Mission Events Co-Chair
Grateful Parent, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit;
Account Manager, Aetna
Jordan Coe
Volunteer and Experience the Mission Events Co-Chair
Grateful Parent, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit;
President/Owner, Waverly Markets, LLC (d.b.a. ShopRite)
Caitlin Collazo
Community Volunteer
Chris Collazo
Global Solution Consulting Leader, Service Now
Jesse Costa
Grateful Parent, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit;
Senior Litigation Paralegal, Travelers
Lindsay David
Membership Co-Chair
Grateful Parent, Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders
Amanda Dibble, CFP, QPFC
Financial Advisor, The Barnes-Reid-Walz Group at Morgan Stanley
Marcus Ferguson
Director & Senior Counsel, Government Affairs, The Hartford
William Gray
Senior Director, Technology, Cigna
Greg Hammond
CEO, Financial Coach, Hammond Iles Wealth Advisors
Benjamin Jensen
Annual Funding Selection Event Co-Chair
Partner, Robinson & Cole, LLC
Margaret Lallier
Annual Recruitment Event Chair
Grateful Parent, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit;
Marketing and Social Media, AllWaste, Inc.
Krissy Morales
AVP, Strategic Planning and Execution – Bond and Specialty Insurance, Travelers
Are You Ready to Connect for Our Children?
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Join the Membership Class of 2023-24
Welcoming members during our annual membership drive, May 1 - August 30, 2024, all members receive:
An invitation to our annual Membership Campaign Kickoff and Member Welcome receptions with Connecticut Children's leadership, clinicians and researchers
Access to member-only "Eat, Drink, Connect" social and networking opportunities at venues such as Hops on the Hill
Monthly insider access e-communications
Invitation to virtual “Lunch with a Researcher”, "Ask the Experts" webinars or virtual access to our Funding Selection Event
Unique opportunity to connect with individuals dedicated to fueling pediatric research that creates better outcomes for children
Additional opportunities are provided based on your level of commitment.
$1,500 Couple / $1,000 Individual
- Insider opportunity to hear from promising researchers and direct how research funds are invested at annual member-only funding selection event
- Invitation to VIP reception with Connecticut Children's leadership, clinicians and researchers
- Recognition on Connecticut Children’s Connection webpage and internal research-centric communications
- Additional benefits listed above
$500
- Invitation to Visionary/Ambassador-only "Experience the Mission" events like private tours, talks and roundtables with physicians and patient families
- Opportunity to tour Connecticut Children’s with a guest
- Connecticut Children’s Connection swag
- Additional benefits listed above
$250
- Access to member-only social and networking opportunities at Connecticut Valley Brewing, Elizabeth Park, Farmington Polo Grounds and Hops on the Hill
- Monthly "Ask the Experts" webinars and insider access e-communications
- Additional benefits listed above