Two Newtown youths, Brian Budnick and Stephen Danyew, were guest speakers at the charity golf tournament held on June 17 at E. Gaynor Brennan Golf Course in Stamford.

The event was sponsored by the Citizens for Patients Rights (CPR). The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Fairfield County also benefited from the proceeds.

Stephen and Brian, members of the Newtown High School marching band, knew drum major Greg Chion who lost his fight with leukemia in October 2000, three months after his 17th birthday. Stephen produced a CD, “Remembering Greg,” as his senior project. The introduction of the CD reads, “The groups and performers on the CD are Newtown High School students who are exploring the realms of music outside the school curriculum. They are truly independent composers and performers and their musical diversity makes this CD special.”

Proceeds from the sale of the CD were donated to the leukemia society in Greg’s name. A few CDs still are available. Call 426-0852 or 426-9748 for more information.

Ginny Chion, Greg’s mom, also was a guest speaker at the luncheon. She began “Coins for the Cure – Wipe Out Leukemia,” which is now ending its second annual fundraising campaign. All proceeds are donated to the leukemia society. Last year’s campaign raised $8,500. Mrs Chion is now a member of the board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Fairfield County.

More than 640,000 Americans currently are fighting blood-related cancers. Approximately 60,000 will die from leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma this year. Every five minutes someone in the United States learns that he or she has one of these diseases.

Karen L. Laugel, MD, is the chairman for Citizens for Patients Rights. The hotline can be reached at 877-769-1277 or on the internet at ctpatientsrights.org. CPR is a nonprofit organization of citizens and leaders of the business and medical communities who are advocates for excellence in health care.