Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) held its 9th annual Gold Ribbon Luncheon Oct. 13 to a reduced capacity crowd supporting families of children battling cancer. Guests gathered at the Hilton Beachfront Resort’s outdoor plaza to celebrate the return of TBCF’s flagship luncheon event and to support the organization’s work.
TBCF is the only nonprofit group in the tri-counties that provides financial, emotional and educational assistance to families who have a child with cancer. Funds raised at the Gold Ribbon Luncheon support the foundation’s mission to provide that support.
This year’s Gold Ribbon Luncheon was hosted by Andrew Firestone and featured the NFL’s Curt Menefee as inspirational speaker. Menefee spoke to the power of community support and a message of “give until it feels good.”
The vision behind the event’s Dream Big theme was shared by TBCF’s new executive director Corey Pahanish, who announced TBCF will be embarking on a capital campaign to find a permanent home and increase the organization’s ability to provide additional services to families it serves.
The mission is to create a full-scale pediatric cancer support center incorporating multiple aligned nonprofits, additional services, and specialized care for the entire family.
The luncheon provided a number of special moments, including the live auction of a two-tiered chocolate and raspberry cake baked by Rylie Katz, age 13, daughter of TBCF Founder Nikki Katz.
Katz is a member of TBCF’s Youth Philanthropy program; she auctioned the cake as her project fundraiser. The cake was purchased by TBCF’s premier sponsor and long-time supporter Earl Minnis for an $100,000.
Andrew and Giana Miller shared a moving family testimonial and talked about their difficult three-year cancer journey with their 6-year-old son Henry. The Millers said that only days before the event Henry had finally rung the “End-of-Chemo“ bell at Cottage Hospital. The Millers then asked the attendees to lift their centerpieces to reveal hidden bells for each of the guests to ring in honor of Henry.
Brittany Avila Wazny, TBCF’s director of senior development, announced the new inclusion of siblings to TBCF’s Educational Advocacy program. Wazny herself the sibling of a pediatric cancer survivor, recounted the toll it took on her family’s emotional health and educational wellbeing.
“I can recall a number of nights when my younger sister was asking for my help with homework while my parents were at my brother’s bedside in the hospital,” Wazny said. “I can’t tell you how meaningful it is for me to be able to provide these additional educational services to the siblings also affected by pediatric cancer in a different way.
“It’s so easy to forget about the other kids in the family when one is so very ill.”
The event honored two families for their enduring support for Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s mission. The Taylor family received the Pay it Forward award for their involvement after their son Wyatt’s cancer battle. The Taylors were past recipients of TBCF’s services and vowed to leave the organization in a better position for having served their family.
The Greene family received the Heart of Gold award for a decade of volunteerism, advocacy and financial support. Nikki Greene served on multiple committees and the Board of Directors, and the entire family regularly volunteers during the holidays.
The staff of Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation was unaware that during the luncheon a family it serves was in the midst of another crisis. The following day a social worker from Cottage Hospital placed an emergency call to TBCF to assist a family affected by the Alisal Fire. Overnight, the family of a 3-year-old cancer patient lost their home and employment due to the fire.
Gisselle Madrigal, TBCF’s family resource specialist, was able to quickly secure a hotel for the family and provide multiple restaurant meal cards. Nikki Katz and friends also helped with a monetary gift card.
The next day, Madrigal learned the family’s 15-year-old son missed his birthday due to the fire. She got to work and TBCF secured a Nintendo Switch for his birthday gift, another restaurant meal card, and tickets to the Santa Barbara Zoo.
“It was such a wonderful feeling to be able to provide such immediate assistance to this family,” Madrigal said. “We were able to secure them temporary housing and help them celebrate their son. It was a wonderful feeling, especially immediately after witnessing the generosity of our supporters the day before.”
The luncheon was made possible by the work of a committee led by co-chairs Eileen Dill and Brigitte Welty, and vice chair Adriana Mezic. Major sponsors included Earl Minnis, The Greene Family, The Albertsons Vons Foundation, Kate and Arthur Coppola, Diana Crothers, Dr. Robert Kammer and Donna Barranco Fisher, Alan and Mary Jane Miller, Pacific Premier Bank, and the Rudi Schulte Family Foundation. A complete list of sponsors is available on the TBCF website.
For more about Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation or to make a donation, call 805-962-7466 or visit TeddyBearCancerFoundation.org.