IMPRESSIONS

Executive Director’s Letter
Dear Friends,
… and I thought 2008 was busy! What an amazing year this has been! Last year, I can recall sitting down
in our finance meeting discussing what 2009 was going to be like. Everyday on the news we were hearing
about the financial market crashing, banks closing, unemployment rising, and home foreclosures hitting
astronomic rates. I remember thinking how are we going to survive this?
Now, sitting here thinking about the last 12 months, I am amazed to realize not only did we survive, but we
had our most successful year to date! For one reason… humanity! The generosity of our community, donors
new and old, businesses, individuals and groups who came together because they all know there is nothing
more tragic that a child inflicted with cancer. Thank you for your unwavering support.
Teddy Bear has gone through tremendous growth in 2009. We started the year off by hiring our very first
Teddy Bear recipient, Becca Solodon, as a full time employee. Jumped right into our 2nd Annual Saks &
The City which proved to be a wonderful success, then expanded our services to Ventura and now collaborate
with Ventura County Medical Center/Pediatric Oncology Clinic. Proceeded to launch a fabulous new website
(be sure to visit) and introduced The Bear Club - our cornerstone of philanthropic support. In addition, we
started the Koala Klub, giving children of all ages a chance to give back to kids their own age, took our
Teddy Bear dads out for a much needed reprieve on the high seas with our new Fishing for Fathers program,
and hired our newest family member, Cynthia Menendez. Then ended the year with an outstanding and
beautiful 4th Annual Luncheon masterfully emceed by Dennis Miller at the stunning estate of Patricia and
Brian Kelly and honored one incredible couple – Debbie and Dan Kass!
However, as we celebrate our successes, our challenges for 2010 are still daunting. We have had an inexplicable
increase in the number of children with cancer. Currently we are assisting 175 families and offering our
services to well over 716 individuals. Almost weekly we are notified of additional children being diagnosed.
We could question the reason why there is such an increase, but no one really knows. What we do know is
the numbers are growing and despite incredibly difficult economic times, the need to reach out, to help, to
make a difference remains.
It is because of you that we have been able to help sustain our families and meet their needs. On behalf of
our families, past, present and future, thank you for the generosity you have given to Teddy Bear Cancer
Foundation. Lastly, to our TBCF Board: each month you come to our office with one goal in mind, the
betterment of Teddy Bear so we can help families who have children with cancer. Your expertise, generosity
of heart and dedication have made Teddy Bear what it is today.
We look forward to changing lives with you in 2010!
Marni Rozet
Executive Director
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
www.teddybearcancerfoundation.org - 805.962.7466 1 | IMPRESSIONS