November 2025
HonorHealth holds itself to a higher standard by caring for the whole person, not just their symptoms. Through the support of our generous community, HonorHealth Foundation works tirelessly to help solve healthcare’s toughest challenges.
Learn more at HonorHealthFoundation.org
Croquet for a Cure: A game-changing community event
Meg and Steve Seoane have turned personal loss into more than just a fundraiser — they’ve created a legacy of hope, education and connection. It’s all centered around the annual Croquet for a Cure event, which has quickly grown into a highly anticipated occasion that combines elegance, philanthropy and fun, all in the name of raising funds for patients with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related diseases. When Meg and Steve decided to start Croquet for a Cure, they were deeply inspired by their personal experiences with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Meg’s mother, Hermanda O’Connor (pictured right), battled with the disease and to experience the journey with her was particularly impactful. “It’s not just one person affected, it’s the entire family,” Steve shares. “The emotional toll is staggering, and the lack of actionable treatments only adds to the heartache.”
A mother's love ignites a philanthropic passion
Their journey began with a simple vision — honoring Meg’s mother’s love of throwing parties and their childhood fun playing croquet. The Seoane family likes to joke that Hermanda could make water taste like champagne.
“My mom was the life of the party, always hosting with elegance and warmth. That’s where the idea of croquet came from,” Meg says with a smile. “Croquet is fun, accessible and a little bit competitive — just like the parties she threw.”
In 2021, Meg and Steve partnered with HonorHealth, kicking off their first Croquet for a Cure event. What started as a modest gathering with a few raffle baskets and close friends, has blossomed into a significant annual event. The growth has been astonishing. In their second year, they raised nearly $75,000, with more than $72,000 directly benefiting the cause.
The secret to their success lies in their collaboration with HonorHealth Foundation, which provided the infrastructure, guidance and expertise to help grow the event.
“They helped us see that this wasn’t just a one-time event. It’s an ongoing partnership,” Meg explains. “They showed us how to take a simple idea and turn it into something with real, lasting impact.
Advancing Alzheimer's care, together
Their commitment to fighting Alzheimer’s doesn’t end with the event. In collaboration with HonorHealth, the Seoanes have helped create a dedicated fund that supports the advancement of Alzheimer’s care and research. And while the Croquet for a Cure event is the centerpiece of this initiative, the fund remains open year-round, allowing individuals and businesses to contribute whenever they wish.
As Steve reflects on the journey, he acknowledges the deep personal connection they both share to the cause.
“Even though we don’t know the people who directly benefit from our efforts, it still feels incredibly personal to us. We’ve experienced the heartbreak of watching a loved one struggle with dementia, and now we’re doing everything we can to make sure others don’t have to go through that same pain,” he shares.
One of the most inspiring elements of Croquet for a Cure is its ability to bring people together. The event has become more than just a fundraiser — it’s a celebration of community.
“It’s about recognizing that this disease affects us all, and together, we can make a difference,” Meg says. Her sister recently made a poignant observation: “It’s not just Croquet for a Cure, it’s Croquet for a Community!”
The Seoanes are quick to credit their donors and sponsors, who have played a pivotal role in the event’s growth.
“We’ve had so much support, and the sponsors have been incredible,” Meg says. “This year, our goal is to hit the six-figure mark in donations. We’re already seeing exponential growth in the community’s support.”
As they look to the future, Meg and Steve have even bigger dreams.
Small steps to a big future
“We want to keep building this event and grow it into a million-dollar community event,” Steve says. “But beyond the fundraising, we’re focused on supporting a new approach to Alzheimer’s care. There are so many groundbreaking treatments that could lead to a cure, but they need funding. We want to be the vehicle that helps make that happen.”
And it’s not just about raising funds — it’s about inspiring others to join the fight. Croquet for a Cure is raising awareness about Alzheimer’s, a disease that affects millions of families each year. In collaboration with the medical staff at HonorHealth, Meg and Steve’s vision for the future includes a multidisciplinary Alzheimer’s clinic at the Bob Bové Neuroscience Institute located on the campus of HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center. A clinic that will bring comprehensive, holistic care, cutting-edge research and patient-centered treatments to the forefront right here in Scottsdale.
“Patients and their families are lost after a diagnosis. They need a safe space where they feel supported holistically — not just for the patient, but for the family navigating this overwhelming journey,” states HonorHealth neurologist, Marisa Sosinsky, MD. “That’s the greatest service a clinic like this can provide.”
As they continue their journey, Meg and Steve’s impact on the community is undeniable. They’ve turned their personal grief into something beautiful, providing a platform for others to come together, raise funds and support those affected by Alzheimer’s.
As Meg says, “It’s about hope, it’s about education and it’s about making a difference. And I truly believe we’re just getting started.”
So, whether you’re playing a friendly game of croquet or donating to support the cause, Croquet for a Cure is a reminder that together, we can fight this devastating disease and change lives for the better. With Meg and Steve leading the way, the future looks brighter — and the game to eradicate dementia, it seems, is just beginning.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of Reflections of Honor.
The next Croquet for a Cure event will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Patient’s rare skin cancer is now undetectable following clinical trial infusions
One day in 2021, Louise, a retired office manager and medical assistant who lives in a rural agricultural community near Yuma, Arizona, was moving a container of nickels when the heavy coins fell from a shelf and landed on both of her big toes.
While her left big toe healed, the right one did not, and a medical examination revealed melanoma under the toenail. Doctors amputated the toe in an attempt to keep the cancer from spreading. They cautioned her to monitor her foot to see if any lesions returned.
Three years later, Louise started finding lesions on her arms, back and abdomen. She visited several doctors in the Yuma area but found none who specialized in melanoma. She was referred to clinics in Phoenix where she underwent conventional cancer therapy without success.
Louise was then referred to Justin Moser, MD, an associate clinical investigator in HonorHealth Research Institute’s Cancer Research Division and Associate Research Professor at Arizona State University’s new John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering. Dr. Moser specializes in rare cancers that start in pigment.
Diagnosed with rare skin cancer
Louise was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma, ALM, a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer that often develops in areas of the body not usually protected by sunscreen. Unlike the more common cutaneous melanoma, ALM is not believed to be caused by sun exposure. It occurs when cells that produce skin pigment grow out of control and form tumors. It often starts as an unevenly pigmented brown or black spot on the palms, soles of the feet, fingers, toes or, as in Louise’s case, under the nails.
Starting in March 2025, Louise was given nine infusions of a clinical trial drug. Over four months of treatment, all of Louise’s lesions disappeared, except one on her abdomen that was surgically removed.
Tests show no detectable cancer
Louise, 71, whose life was put on hold because of the disease, is being monitored with periodic blood tests and says she feels relieved now that she has no detectable cancer.
“It’s been just great,” she said of her recovery, noting the quality care she received from Dr. Moser and the HonorHealth Research Institute staff. “Every day that we’re still here with our family, we’re thankful.”
Louise, an avid lifelong rockhound, is looking forward to traveling soon with her husband, Tony, and is anxious to again find stones that the couple might turn into jewelry.
“I’m looking forward to making some trips to places we haven’t seen, and visiting our kids who live out of state,” she said.
Advancing healthcare through academic medicine
Arizona State University’s newly named John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering — for which HonorHealth is the primary clinical affiliate — has received preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, paving the way for its inaugural class in fall 2026.
The school’s new name honors local physician and entrepreneur John Shufeldt, MD, and is in recognition of his historic nine-figure gift to ASU.
As the school’s primary clinical affiliate, HonorHealth and its Academic Medicine program is uniquely positioned to offer patient-centered learning experiences while leveraging the academic environment to further elevate care for patients across our community.
Help every family share a Thanksgiving meal
Thanksgiving should be a time to celebrate, not spent worrying about having enough to eat.
But this year, the need at the HonorHealth Desert Mission Food Bank has grown by more than 50 percent.
Thankfully, you can help make sure no family is turned away this Thanksgiving. When you give to the HonorHealth Desert Mission Food Bank Turkey Drive, your gift will be matched, doubling your impact for families facing hunger.
🍂 $25 becomes $50 to feed two families
🍂 $50 becomes $100 to feed four families
🍂 $100 becomes $200 to feed eight families
Healthy food isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. Your kindness can help every family enjoy a full table and a warm meal this Thanksgiving.
Donate to the Turkey Drive today!
UPDATE: Donations to HonorHealth Desert Mission and the Turkey Drive are eligible for the Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization Tax Credit. Through this program, you can donate up to $987 (if you file your taxes jointly) or up to $495 (if you file your taxes individually) and receive your gift back as a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Arizona state taxes!
Sip & Shop benefiting Croquet for a Cure
Join us for the fourth annual Sip & Shop on Thursday, November 20, at Cordially Phoenix. Simply mention you're with Croquet for a Cure at checkout and 15 percent will be given back to Croquet for a Cure — ALL DAY!
Bring your friends for a Sip & Shop happy hour with light bites and bubbles from 5 – 8 PM.
Let’s pack this event with support for Croquet for a Cure to eradicate Alzheimer’s and other memory-related diseases!
Cordially Phoenix
5121 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85012
Go “all in” for a great cause
The PENTA Cares (giving arm of The PENTA Building Group) Arizona Poker Tournament supports HonorHealth Foundation and benefits HonorHealth Sports Medicine, bringing hope, healing and health to those who need it most.
The tournament is Thursday, December 4 at The Scottsdale Resort. You can sign up to play, attend as a guest, become a sponsor or simply make a donation.
Save the Date for Honor Ball 2026
Registration is now open for the 2026 Honor Ball! Join us Saturday, February 28, for a magnificent black-tie affair at the luxurious Arizona Biltmore Resort.
The 49th annual Honor Ball will be an evening inspired by The Great Gatsby and benefiting the HonorHealth Innovation Endowment — providing vital support to enhance quality of care while driving progress at the forefront of medical advancement.
Learn more about this highly anticipated signature event
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