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West Hartford Woman Continues to Turn Cancer Diagnosis into Something Positive

Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center had a "Roaring Twenties" theme in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. With Barbara (center) are V.P., Chief Development Officer Saint Francis Foundation Lynn Rossini, and West Hartford Fire Department representative with a donation to the cause. photo by Joy Taylor

For the past nine years, West Hartford’s Barbara Gordon has made something positive out of her breast cancer diagnosis by holding a backyard fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center.

By Joy Taylor

Guests dressed in “Roaring Twenties” attire flocked to the tented backyard of Barbara and Mark Gordon’s West Hartford home earlier in June as jazz music filled the air, all in the name of raising funds and awareness of the good work of the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis.

Barbara credits the hospital, and especially doctors Allen Mayer and Jim Frank, with saving her life in 2008 when she received a breast cancer diagnosis.

The Comprehensive Women’s Health Center, which didn’t exist when Barbara received her diagnosis, now provides coordinated care, prevention and education in an environment designed with health and healing in mind.

Members of the West Hartford Fire Department played a major role in the fundraiser by donating, preparing, and serving the meal. As if that wasn’t enough, they also presented Barbara with a donation for the hospital.

Barbara’s daughter, Tracy Fox, was inspired by the great, loving care her mother received at Saint Francis and decided to make a career change from journalism to nursing. “Tracy is dedicated to giving her patients the same caring attention I received,” Barbara said.

Dr. John F. Rodis, president of Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, speaking in West Hartford at Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Barbara is facing him, at right. photo by Joy Taylor

Dr. John F. Rodis, president of Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, speaking in West Hartford at Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Barbara is facing him, at right. photo by Joy Taylor

Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center had a "Roaring Twenties" theme in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. Barbara with some of her family members. photo by Joy Taylor

Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center had a “Roaring Twenties” theme in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. Barbara with some of her family members. photo by Joy Taylor

Sister Judy and Lynn Rossini at Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. photo by Joy Taylor

Sister Judy and Lynn Rossini at Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. photo by Joy Taylor

Sally Scully was in the "Roaring Twenties" spirit at Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. photo by Joy Taylor

Sally Scully was in the “Roaring Twenties” spirit at Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. photo by Joy Taylor

Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center had a "Roaring Twenties" theme in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. With Barbara (center) are V.P., Chief Development Officer Saint Francis Foundation Lynn Rossini, and West Hartford Fire Department representative with a donation to the cause. photo by Joy Taylor

Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center had a “Roaring Twenties” theme in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. With Barbara (center) are V.P., Chief Development Officer Saint Francis Foundation Lynn Rossini, and West Hartford Fire Department representative with a donation to the cause. photo by Joy Taylor

Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. photo by Joy Taylor

Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. photo by Joy Taylor

Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center had a "Roaring Twenties" theme in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. photo by Joy Taylor

Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center had a “Roaring Twenties” theme in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. photo by Joy Taylor

In Memoriam sign at Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. photo by Joy Taylor

In Memoriam sign at Barbara Gordon’s 9th Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in West Hartford on June 8, 2016. photo by Joy Taylor

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