Few things are more devastating for a parent than a child’s cancer diagnosis, which is what drove Nikki (Simon) Katz to launch the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation two decades ago.
Katz had met a single mother whose young son had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer and, after conducting exhaustive research, found that there were no local nonprofit organizations providing critical support for families.
She reached out to the late Larry Crandell, aka Mr. Santa Barbara, who encouraged her to form a 501(c)(3) to fill that void.
I joined about 75 other women who became grassroots supporters back in 2002, and my involvement with and admiration for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation remains just as strong today.
On Oct. 7, the foundation will be celebrating its 20th anniversary with a Golden Gala at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. Gala sponsors will be treated to a VIP cocktail hour, rooftop dinner and program emceed by Andrew Firestone.
Donna Barranco Fisher, actively involved since 2007, will be honored with a new Golden Hero award for having made a transformative difference for TBCF and the community.
“I am extremely honored to be Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s Golden Hero,” Barranco Fisher told Noozhawk. “I consider it a privilege to volunteer, and have loved supporting the mission over the past many years to ease the journeys of families with a child battling cancer.”
Barranco Fisher retired in 2020 as the longtime executive director of Storyteller Children’s Center, and served as TBCF’s board chairwoman in 2015 and 2016.
Brittany Wazny, TBCF’s senior development director, said Barranco Fisher was an obvious choice.
“In the last decade she’s completely changed the trajectory as a start-up, grassroots nonprofit to be a stable and growing organization that is finding innovative ways to provide financial , educational and emotional support to serve our families,” she said.
“TBCF … is continuing to do whatever it takes to meet their families’ needs in a way that is sustainable and allows for transformational change for those they serve.”
While many of TBCF’s early supporters are still involved, the organization has a burgeoning base of donors and volunteers, and is providing more services than ever.
According to Wazny, TBCF is giving more direct funding than it ever has and, under the leadership of executive director Corey Pahanish, has been able to reopen the Bear Necessities fund and give out more in gas and grocery gift cards. New partnerships are being created for one-on-one counseling and greater emotional support, and an educational advocacy program for siblings has been enhanced.
Although the gala dinner is sold out, tickets are still available for after-dinner festivities at 8 p.m. when the museum doors will reopen for full public access. The post-party will offer signature cocktails, open wine and beer stations, desserts, heavy appetizers, drawings, photo booths, a magician, roulette and dancing with deejay Scott Topper. Tickets are $75.00 and can be purchased online.
Click here for more information about the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, or click here to make an online donation.
— Judy Foreman is a Noozhawk columnist and longtime local writer and lifestyles observer. She can be contacted at news@noozhawk.com. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are her own.