Day Kimball Healthcare’s (DKH) Cruise, BBQ & Brew Motorcycle and Car Cruise was held on Sunday, July 31, and raised over $23,000 to benefit the NECT Cancer Fund of DKH.

Our Cruisin’ for Cancer Care Committee welcomed record-breaking attendance with more than 150 cars and motorcycles and 250 participants who joined in for memorial laps around the Thompson Speedway’s 1.7 mile course, followed by a scenic ride that covered over 40 miles throughout beautiful Northeast Connecticut. This year’s event concluded at the Black Dog Bar and Grille in Putnam where participants convened for a delicious BBQ lunch and entertainment by Nick Casey. 

This annual event allows riders to commemorate their loved ones by including their name in a special memorial tribute during memorial laps at the track, and many joined in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of a loved one.

“Because of the high-quality and compassionate approach our team gives each of our patients and their caregivers, people continue to choose to receive their care at DKH,” said Kyle Kramer, chief executive officer, Day Kimball Healthcare. “The proceeds from this event will allow us to continue to provide financial assistance for cancer-related screening and treatment services to those battling cancer in our community who otherwise may not have the financial resources to pay for needed medical care.” 

This 18th annual event was organized by DKH’s Cruisin’ for Cancer Care Committee, DKH and community volunteers, several of whom have been part of the event since its inception, and members of SPIROL International’s employee fundraising team. Sponsors for this year’s event included: SPIROL International, presenting sponsor; major sponsors WIN Waste Innovations, Centreville Bank, and Weiss, Hale & Zahansky Strategic Wealth Advisors; and host sponsors Thompson Speedway and the Black Dog Bar & Grille.

“As this event has grown, we’ve been increasingly overwhelmed with the support from our community,” said Kristen Willis, director of development, Day Kimball Healthcare. “We are blown away by the number of participants this year, and with the help of our sponsors, we are thrilled with the amount we were able to raise for the Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of DKH. This year’s event was our biggest yet, and we are excited to see what next year brings.”

To date, this event has contributed over $186,000 to the Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of DKH. To learn more about the Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of DKH, visit daykimball.org/nectcancerfund.

Photo Caption: Members of DKH’s Cruisin’ for Cancer Care committee at the 18th Annual Cruise, BBQ, and Brew event to benefit the Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of DKH, held on July 31 at the Thompson Speedway and Black Dog Bar and Grille.

Photo Caption: Members of SPIROL International’s employee fundraising team at the 18th Annual Cruise, BBQ, and Brew event to benefit the Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of DKH, held on July 31 at the Thompson Speedway and Black Dog Bar and Grille.

Header Photo Caption: Classic car and motorcycle enthusiasts convene for a delicious BBQ lunch at the Black Dog Bar and Grille in Putnam following laps on the track at Thompson Speedway, and a 90-minute motorcycle and car cruise around the beautiful northeast corner- all part of the Day Kimball Healthcare’s Cruise, BBQ, and Brew to benefit the Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of DKH.