First Annual Grayson’s Gift Foundation Event Raises Over $150,000 for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research

SANTA MONICA, CA–(Marketwire – November 22, 2010) – The first annual Grayson’s Gift Foundation Event, hosted on November 11, 2010, was a huge success, raising more than $150,000. The charity event took place in the ballroom at Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica.

Grayson’s Gift Foundation is a non-profit committed to raising money for the brain cancer research department at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Money was raised through ticket sales, an extravagant silent auction, and generous donations made by attendees.

The Grayson’s Gift Foundation was founded in 2010 by Leslie and Cliff Katab, whose son Grayson died from a brain tumor just over two years ago. Cliff Ketab said, “We went through many surgeries and chemo and countless days in hospitals, as well as traveling to Europe for experimental treatments. Although we did everything humanly possible, we lost our beloved baby boy two years ago.

“Pediatric brain cancer is the second leading cause of children’s death only behind social causes (car accidents, etc). Being immersed in this world taught us many life lessons. One thing we know is that we must help find a cure for these children. We created Grayson’s Gift Foundation just for this reason. Our charity donates its contributions directly to support research and training for pediatric brain cancer.”

A festive evening, it was a fusion of determined oncologists, compassionate celebrities, friends and family. Thrown into the mix were individual demonstrations of state-of-the-art brain-computer controlled games using NeuroSky technology. The day before the event, NeuroSky donated several games to the pediatric cancer ward at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. At the event, David Westendorf, Vice President of NeuroSky, talked about how Children’s Hospital LA saved his niece’s life, and then he gave away NeuroSky-powered Mindflex games from Mattel as table prizes.

Celebrity guests included: actor Jonathon Goldsmith, recognized as “The Most Interesting Man in the World” in recent Dos Equis commercials; Corey Feldmen of “The Goonies”; Taylor Armstrong of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”; Vienna Girardi who starred in ABC’s “The Bachelor”;” Jennifer Elise Cox, known for her appearance in The Brady Bunch Movie; actress Delphine Chaneac; and actor James Preston of “The Gates.”

Photos: http://www.ballantinesbiz.com/Green_Oct_2010/CHLA/CHLA_GraysonsGift_112210.html

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