Become a Brain Buddy

An unprecedented and unique aspect of the organization is the fact that Art of the Brain is composed primarily of a network of "illness mentors" -- Brain Buddies who not only assist with volunteering their time to make the annual gala a success, but also volunteer as personal illness mentors to individuals or families who are stricken with brain cancer.  When someone requests assistance from the Art of the Brain, the organization assigns a Brain Buddy for them, who serves as a consistent, additional and critical support system, guiding patients and their families through the various stages of diagnosis, treatment and recovery, helping them to understand the process, anticipate life changes they may experience, and providing them with a renewed sense of hope.

If you would like to become a Brain Buddy to volunteer your time to help make the anniversary gala a success and/or to become an illness mentor, please contact us at neuroonc@ucla.edu for more information.

2011 Brain Buddies

Patti Lawhon – Event Chair

Claudia Antoine

Christine Aseron

Mac Balch

Patty Balch

Elinor Berger

Karen Berk

Mitchell Bloch

Nancy Boxwell

Deborah Brandes

Janet Brown

Kathy Brown

Barbara Carlberg

Meritt Carlberg

Mandy Fey Carota

Laralee Ciernia

Lisa Cloughesy

Tricia Cloughesy

Cris Currenti

Joan Doren

Sue Frank

Madeline Funk

Annie Gerhardt

Ellie Goodman

Ken Goodman

Doris Haims

Josh Haims

Julia Haims

Debbie Johnson

Aly Kaufman

Jennifer Kaufman

Jill Kaufman

Suzy Kaufman

Jean Lee

Nicole Lewis

Lois Littman

Jason Lopata

Paula Machtinger

Sid Machtinger

Dari Mackenzie

Kristine Marshall

Candice Orbach*

Ferdie Padilla

Julie Pool

Claire Rabishaw

Glynis Robert

Holly Russo

Ike Russo

John Stewart

Madeline Smith

Rebecca Smondrowski

Cheryl Snow

Janice Tarr

Jill Teitelbaum

Vlad Valdez

Shelly Vedres

Sherry Wertenbruch*

Naomi Yuguchi*

Robyn Zimmet

*In loving memory