Thank you for taking your time to drop in and have a quick look around.
We’re in the process of building our permanent web site which we look forward to sharing with you this fall. In the meantime, we’ve set up this “mini site” which answers questions about our current status, our 1st Gala Celebration, and our plans for the future. We hope you enjoy your visit
Who We Are
Heart of the Brain is a community of patients, doctors, donors and supporters working toward improving treatment and curing brain cancer.
Art is our platform. Isabel Neidorf and Judi Kaufman are our inspirations and UCLA doctors Linda Liau and Timothy Cloughesy are our guides.
Our Annual Gala brings the community together to celebrate progress made and provide a haven for those currently affected.
Our Vision
Cure All Forms of Brain Cancer
Our Mission
Investigate Causes & Preventions
Develop Earlier Detection Techniques
Develop New & Improve Existing Treatments
Engage World Class Medical Researchers & Professionals
Enlist Supporters & Donors, Everywhere, in our Search for a Cure
Our Values
Conduct ourselves with the highest standards of compassion, encouragement and kindness towards all those affected by Brain Tumors.
Allow Total Transparency of Successes and Setbacks be the mechanism by which we inform all stakeholders of the status of our work.
Focus Our Efforts, on Solutions, not the problems, be they minor speedbumps or major obstacles.
Maintain the utmost of integrity, in all our actions, at all times.
Make a difference
Heart of the Brain development history
IGN Foundation
In late 2017, IGN merged with AOB forming a new entity, Heart of the Brain. Michael and Becky Neidorf’s daughter, Isabel, was the inspiration for IGN and also designed the original logo. Isabel was so excited about the merger she wanted to take on the responsibility of designing the new logo for Heart of the Brain. IGN’s logo was a colorful heart that was so “ her” and represented everything IGN stood for – Warmth, Compassion, Love and a true Concern for all those affected by the disease.
Art of the Brain
AOB was also dedicated to fighting brain cancer through Neuro-Oncology. Like Isabel, their founder, Judi Kaufman, was diagnosed with an Oligodendroglioma brain tumor. Like Isabel, Judi also had a love for art, understanding its power for inspiration and comfort. The AOB logo reflected Judi’s creative instincts the same way the IGN logo reflected Isabel’s. Judi refused to let her brain tumor define who she was. Tragically Judi passed away, but her spirit will live on through Heart of the Brain.
Heart of the Brain
When designing the new logo, it was of utmost importance to Isabel to make certain the ”soul” of both non-profit foundations were represented. What you see above, perfectly captures “Heart of the Brain.” Isabel merged AOB’s silhouette of the Head with IGN’s Heart, added some vibrant colors, and with the goal of making others smile, created this stunning design.
Join the fight
Second Annual Heart of The Brain Gala
Save The Date: Second Annual Heart of The Brain Gala
We are pleased to announce this year’s Gala will take place on September 7th! Please save the date. Sign up here to get notified as details are confirmed.
2018 Gala Recap
Thank you to our generous restaurant partners who donated 100% of the food at our annual Gala: The District by Hannah An, Blue Dog Beer Tavern, Choux Choux Catering, The Grill on the Alley, Marco’s, Panzanella Ristorante, Stonefire Grill, Taco Boy, Stan’s Donuts, Wood Ranch and Bristol Farms Corner Bakery!
Thank you for your delicious contributions and for supporting our mission to find a cure for brain cancer!
Photo’s from our previous events.
1st Annual Heart of the Brain Gala Celebration.
Saturday September 22nd 2018 6:30 -10pm
UCLA Freud Playhouse & Coral Tree Walk
UCLA Freud Playhouse & Coral Tree Walk
6:30 – 8pm: Courtyard Reception
- Bites by American Grilled Cheese Kitchen, Blue Dog tavern, District by Hannah An, Grill on the Alley, Marco’s Trattoria, La Casita Mexicana, Panzanella Ristorante, Starry Kitchen, Stonefire Grill, Taco Boy & Wood Ranch BBQ
- Cocktails by Bogart Spirits & Bandero Tequila
- Judi Kaufman Project Pop-Up Art Exhibition
8pm: Celebration Gala
- Presentations of the Isabel Neidorf, Johnny Mercer, & Judi Kaufman Awards
- Hosted by Emmy Winning Comedian Tom Kenny
- Live Paintings by Man One
- Remarks by Dr Cloughesy & Dr Linda Liau
- Tributes to Johnny Mercer & George Gershwin featuring Brett Canter, Samantha Shapiro, Sypher Arts, & Special Guests
9:30pm: Coffee and Desserts by Stan’s Donuts
All Ages Welcome
California Casual Attire
HOW DOES MY DONATION HELP IN THE SEARCH FOR A CURE TO BRAIN CANCER?
It’s been said by philosophers that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step”. Along the way there are many obstacles, decisions to make, roadblocks to navigate and more in order to arrive at your final destination. The same could be said for finding a cure for Brain Cancer. The journey is not an easy one and does not come quickly. With Heart of the Brain your donation goes to support cutting edge research for all types of brain cancer. This includes researchers working on multidisciplinary efforts involving over 10 separate departments that iteratively incorporates basic, translational, and clinical research toward better and longer survival for patients. It goes towards necessary but expensive equipment, patient trials, procurement and of course the amazing doctors who dedicate themselves to this cause. The cure remains illusive, however, each year, each trial, every dollar, get’s us closer to the goal. This is no longer a matter of if, but rather when we will cure this deadly disease. Every dollar you give is used to serve the quest to cure Brain Cancer.
Why was UCLA selected by Heart of the Brain?
It is due to the leadership and the diversity of the opportunities created by the scientific environment at UCLA that has inspired the Heart of the Brain to donate to their Brain Tumor Center (BTC) to cure brain cancer.
The UCLA Brain Tumor Center is one of only six sites in the country to be designated a “Specialty Program of Research Excellence” (SPORE) in Brain Cancer by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The highly competitive SPORE award is given only to centers with exceptional breadth and depth in state-of-the-art, innovative, investigator-initiated translational research (from bench to bedside) that will contribute to the improved detection, diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer. Their goal (BTC) is our goal……to Cure Brain Cancer. Let’s help them as much as we can.
Heart of the Brain 5 year-Goal
If you’ve had an opportunity to review parts of this mini web site you’ve probably come up with the same question we did. How much money is required to Cure Brain Cancer? Well, other than a lot……we don’t have any idea, and unfortunately, no one else has that answer either. So here is where we are going to start. As you know, Dr. Liau and Dr. Cloughesy received a spore grant for $11,400,000 over a 5-year period. Heart of the Brain decided to align our fiscal year with UCLA’s. Beginning July 1st 2018 and ending June 30th 2024 we’re going to try and match the grant or at least come close. We’ve set our goal at:
$10,000,000
We are a young and emerging non-profit foundation with a big heart and an even bigger goal. We are very grateful for the opportunity and the privilege to reach out to you and become a friend of all Brain Cancer patients throughout the world. Let’s make a difference and help the doctors who work hard for the patients to find a cure. We are very grateful for each and every one you.
