Foundation to honor memory of Laura Sypek on her 16th birthday

Date: 9/7/2010

Sept. 8, 2010

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor

WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Laura Sypek would have been celebrating her Sweet 16 on Oct. 14 but this fall, the day will serve as a memorial celebration of a life cut short by pediatric cancer.

Sypek lost her battle with neuroblastoma in 2006 at the age of 11. Family and friends determined to do their part to eradicate the disease, joined Sandra Kosko, Sypek's aunt, to establish the Soupy for Loopy Foundation in 2007. The non-profit has since granted $50,000 to fund drug trails and other efforts toward a cure though its signature fundraising event, a golf outing and benefit dinner, featuring Sypek's favorite dish, tomato and elbow macaroni soup.

"I'm very pleased that we've been able to donate $50,000 up to this point, which is really good because we didn't know how well [the fundraisers] would go [when we started the foundation]," Kosko said.

"The cure would be wonderful and that's the ultimate goal but it's about taking baby steps; at least to extend their life if they have to live with the illness [is today's goal]," she added.

The foundation allocated $25,000 last year to partially fund a drug trail at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and $25,000 to New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy in 2008.

Kosko said the foundation aims to raise $20,000 at this year's golf outing. They've yet to decide where they'll donate this year's proceeds, she added.

The fifth annual Soupy for Loopy Fundraiser will take place Oct. 14 at East Mountain Country Club, 1458 East Mountain Rd., Westfield.

Cost is $75 per golfer or $10 for only the dinner. Cost for golfer registration includes 18 holes with cart, lunch, dinner and goodie bag. Event will also feature a raffle to win New England Patriots tickets and other great prizes.

To register by Oct. 1, to make donation or for more information, call Kosko at 636-1234 or e-mail her at info@soupyforloopy.org or visit www.soupyforloopy.org.