The Travelers Championship today announced that the ALS Clinic at the Hospital for Special Care (HSC) in New Britain will be the primary beneficiary of the Aug. 2016 tournament.
Last August, Travelers Chairman Jay Fishman disclosed that he had been diagnosed with the disease. His last day as CEO with the company was Nov. 30, 2015.
Each year, HSC cares for more than 250 Connecticut residents with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive disorder that affects the function of nerves and muscle.
The Travelers Championship, which donates 100 percent of its net proceeds to local charities, will continue to support a diverse mix of more than 100 charitable causes throughout the region.
A fundraising dinner will also be held on Friday, Aug. 5, to support the Bruce Edwards Foundation for ALS Research. The dinner will feature legendary golfer Tom Watson, award-winning sports columnist John Feinstein and Fishman. Feinstein and Watson founded the Bruce Edwards Foundation in honor of Watson’s longtime caddy and Wethersfield native, Bruce Edwards, who eventually lost his battle with ALS.
“Bringing these two organizations into the Travelers Championship family of philanthropic causes builds upon our mission to be a platform for nonprofit organizations in the Northeast,” said Nathan Grube, Travelers Championship tournament director. “After all of the support that Jay Fishman and his family have given to our tournament, we are proud to support him in his efforts to help others who have been diagnosed with ALS.”
HSC is the only facility in Connecticut that is part of the ALS Association’s national network of Certified Treatment Centers of Excellence and is certified by the Muscular Dystrophy Association for ALS care. It also runs one of the largest research and clinical trial programs for ALS in New England.
The Travelers Championship has generated more than $33 million for more than 500 nonprofit organizations across the region since the event began in 1952, and more than $10 million since Travelers became the title sponsor in 2007.
