Illness can
bring double-edged grief to families when it strikes. The
family must cope with not only the loss of a loved one but the
emptiness that is left behind after the fight. Nelson Hwang is
one of the rare individuals who turned his family's tragedy
into something that brings comfort to others.
According to Nelson, his younger brother David's in death
in 1996 from a form of leukemia, just weeks before his 18th
birthday, was devastating to his family. However, his efforts
to bring something positive out of David's death have driven
him to start and sponsor several charities, including the one
named in his brother's honor, The David Hwang Foundation.
“After David passed I sat down with some friends. We wanted
to do something in his name. We had no idea what to do and
came up with the [David Hwang] Memorial Tournament,” says
Nelson.
The golf tournament is heading into its tenth year in 2006
and even though, according to Nelson, it's hard to believe his
brother has been gone that long, the charity is making
important contributions to families in Branford. The David
Hwang Foundation endows the high school with two scholarships
every year to deserving seniors.
The foundation also gives much-needed funds to Branford
families facing the same situation as the Hwangs. Nelson's
experience with a loved one who is ill has given him a unique
perspective on what a family really needs in a time of crisis.
“In the past we gave to larger organizations but we decided
to focus more on local families,” Nelson says. “Insurance only
covers so much—we all know that. We don't have much money to
give out—we're not that big of an organization, we can't give
out a million dollars—but we try to take care of a need.”
Nelson explains that the huge cost of an illness brings
problems that are as unique as they are frustrating. Bills,
even food costs are sometimes overlooked when dealing with an
illness of this magnitude, according to Nelson.
“We don't give out money directly to families but we do
give out grocery gift cards and that can really help.
Sometimes just a full refrigerator can help someone deal with
their situation,” says Nelson.
Nelson and the charity's determination to make a difference
has led them to operate another function that they once simply
supported. The Candy Cane Express, a holiday event for
children with illnesses and their siblings, is now in its 11th
year.
“We like to be different than other organizations. We're
just a small little foundation on the shoreline that is trying
to make a difference in kid's lives.”
The Candy Cane Express train ride event is for children of
Dr. Joseph McNamara's Pediatric Oncology office in Guilford.
Amtrak donates five train cars that take the children on a
ride with Santa, with plenty for presents for the kids.
His foundation has always been involved with the Express
but will now be the primary sponsor of the event.
“The ride only lasts four or five hours, which doesn't seem
long, but for a kid to be able to forget about their treatment
and their disease and just have fun and enjoy themselves—when
you see the faces on the kids, that's what it's all about,”
Nelson says.
David's day job provides other opportunities to help those
in need—he's a career firefighter in Hamden. In addition to
that, he's a familiar face to many in East Haven and Madison
as the operator of his family's business, Blue Jay Cleaners.
Nelson carefully chooses his words when discussing the
effects his family's generosity has brought.
“The sadness will always be there. A void will always be
there for my family and for David's friends. It doesn't ease
the pain,” Nelson says. “Basically what I and my family went
through, we know what it is like, the treatments, being sick,
blood counts, we know the suffering. I share that experience,
I know what they're going through. It doesn't bring happiness
to me, but it's a thank you to people who were there for me.”
The Candy Cane express will be held Sunday, Dec. 4. The
train leaves Union Station in New Haven at 1 p.m. For more
information about the Express contact the David Hwang
Foundation, LLC at PO Box 461 Branford, CT 06405 or visit
www.davidhwangfoundation.com.
The David Hwang Memorial Golf Tournament is held every
spring at the Country Club in Orange.