

WEST SPRINGFIELD - The Soupy for Loopy Foundation, the non-profit which honors the late Laura A. Sypek and raises awareness and money to help childhood neuroblastoma research, will host its ninth annual golf tournament on Oct. 10 at Tekoa Country Club in Westfield.

The Soupy for Loopy Foundation was founded following the death of Laura in 2006 at the age of 11 after battling the form of solid tumor cancer known as neuroblastoma. It was given its name because Laura was affectionately known as “Loopy.” Laura had a favorite tomato-based soup with elbow macaroni when she was going through treatment.

The Soupy for Loopy fundraiser, to be held on what would have been Laura’s 20th birthday, features 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, dinner, gift and a goodie bag for participants. There is also a dinner-only option for non-golfers.

“We have about 300 people attend every year,” said foundation president Sandra Kosko. “Last year, we had 124 golfers, and the rest came for dinner.”

The buffet dinner will feature cheese and crackers, fruit, Laura’s favorite soup, make-your-own grinders, various side salads and desserts.

Kosko said Laura’s favorite soup will always be on the menu.

“It was her comfort food and it sustained her when she was going through chemo,” Kosko said. “It was very hard for her to eat, but she was always able to eat that soup.”

There will be a raffle featuring items for men, women and children.

“We have a nice array of items, including sports memorabilia,” Kosko said. “We try to have something for everyone. We’re very appreciative of the businesses and individuals that donate the raffle prizes.”

Kosko said they are hoping to raise $25,000 with this year’s event. There are various levels of sponsorship as well, starting at $50 and going up to $1,000.

This year for the first time, anyone who donates $1,000 for a platinum sponsorship will receive a complimentary foursome for golf. Sponsors are recognized at the event, on the foundation’s website, in the organization’s thank-you advertisement and in its annual newsletter.

The money raised through the fundraiser would go toward “new approaches to neuroblastoma therapy” study being conducted at a children’s hospital in Los Angeles.

In all, the Soupy for Loopy Foundation has donated $190,000 to neuroblastoma research causes.

Kosko said they reach out to some of the organizations they have provided funds to in the past to see if any new initiatives are starting.

“We pass this information on to our medical advisor, Dr. Lisa Diller, from Dana-Farber (Cancer Institute),” she said. “Under her guidance, we decide (what to fund). We respect her judgment, and based on what the outcome of the study results are to be, we listen to her for the best use of our funds.”

Kosko said there is a promising trend regarding neuroblastoma.

“When we started this back in 2007, the five-year survival rate for high risk neuroblastoma was 30 percent,” she said. “Today, according to the American Cancer Society website, that rate has increased to 40 to 50 percent. We would like to see that much (higher), but the fact that it’s going in a positive direction means they’re learning more about the disease and how to treat it.”

Tickets to the fundraiser are $85 for golfers, which includes golf, lunch, dinner, gift and goodie bag. Dinner-only tickets are $20 for adults and children 10 and up, and $5 for children under 10. Tickets must be purchased in advance by Sept. 29 by calling Kosko at (413) 636-1234 or emailing info@soupyforloopy.org.

For more information about the event or the Soupy for Loopy Foundation, go online to soupyforloopy.org. To make a donation by mail, make checks payable to Soupy for Loopy Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 474, West Springfield, MA 01090.

