WeHa Man Creates 'CT Beer Tour' To Aid Cancer Research

WEST HARTFORD – A local man is taking his love of his late father and craft beer and combining that passion into a fundraising event that will help in the fight against blood cancer.

West Hartford resident Greg Hammond has partnered with 23 Connecticut craft breweries to create the "2024 CT Beer Tour for a Cancer-Free Future," benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

From Friday, March 1, to Saturday, May 4, participating breweries will each host a tour stop and contribute a portion of every beer poured during the event to support the fight against blood cancer.

Participating local breweries are located in Manchester, Windsor Locks, Portland, East Hampton, Newtown, New Haven, Willimantic (Windham), Cheshire, New Britain, Bethel, Southington, Centerbrook, Stratford, Bloomfield, Westbrook, Colchester, Old Saybrook, Glastonbury, Hartford, Branford and West Hartford.

"Each event is free and open to the public and Hammond and his team will be at each brewery with
information, raffles, and lots of fun," reads an event announcement.

LLS raises money that funds the most promising blood cancer research and forges collaborations to accelerate discoveries, treatments, and cures.

The leader whose team raises the most funds in each community will become their "Visionary of the Year."

Hammond said he has assembled a committed team of friends and family, who call themselves "The Hammond Hoptimists" and set a goal to raise $100,000 for blood cancer research through personal donations, corporate support, and the CT Beer Tour series of events.

“I became involved for one simple reason: I love my dad. Ken Hammond was a loving husband, a successful businessman, a mayor, a town councilman, a church volunteer, a fabulous role model, and an amazing dad," Hammond said.

"His life was cut short in 2015 when his courageous battle with multiple myeloma, a terrible blood cancer, ended. My desire to honor my dad led me to accept a nomination to compete for the title of Greater Connecticut’s LLS 2024 Visionary of the Year.”

For a complete list of the '2024 CT Beer Tour for a Cancer-Free Future,' click on this link.

For more information on the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, click on this link.

To donate to the 'Hammond Hoptimists,' click on this link.