About Us

Staff

 

Nikki Katz

Founder and Program Director of The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

Nikki Katz brings fifteen years of social work experience to the organization. Mrs. Katz began her career by studying criminology and sociology, and then worked as a residential counselor in a group home facility for juveniles on probation. She has worked with a full range of people in need, from severely disabled teenagers to elderly cancer patients, whom she trained as a volunteer at the Santa Barbara Athletic Club. In addition to her volunteer work and duties as executive director of the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Mrs. Katz has served on the Committee for the Children's Miracle Network and works closely with Hugs 4 Cubs and the Santa Barbara Foresters baseball team, arranging and chaperoning outings for children diagnosed with cancer.

Mrs. Katz established the foundation in 2002 to provide a necessary support system for Central Coast families with children suffering from cancer. As a volunteer in Pediatrics at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, she became aware that families of children with cancer, even financially stable families with health insurance, were in dire need of assistance. Having successfully organized and coordinated a large-scale fundraising event to aid victims of the September 11 attacks, Mrs. Katz realized that a non-profit organization such as the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation was a viable undertaking.

Becca Solodon

Program Assistant and Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation Spokesperson

Becca Picture Becca's is a cancer servivor and Teddy Bear's first recipient.  Her positive attitude in the face of adversity has been an inspiration and example to children currently in treatment.  "Visiting kids in treatment at Cottage Hospital is one of the best experiences I have ever had," she says, describing her work with the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. "Their smiles are priceless."

In addition to her role at Teddy Bear, Becca works with the American Cancer Society, Hugs for Cubs with the Santa Barbara Foresters baseball team, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "Take My Hand", a song she wrote about her own experience with cancer, was such a hit that Make-A-Wish Foundation featured her story in the form of a doll, which is sold across America.  She has become a motivational force, speaking and singing in the media and one-on-one with children, hospital volunteers, and community activists.

Becca is currently working with professional producers and songwriters in Los Angeles who are mentoring her on her first album project.  She is now a full time member of TBCF and looks forward to more opportunties to share her story and talents.  

Learn more about Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation's spokesperson Becca Solodon by visiting www.beccasolodon.com

Cynthia Menendez

Associate Director

Cynthia is originally from Los Angeles, California.  She graduated from UC, Santa Barbara in 2003 with a major in Global Studies and a minor in Italian.  Cynthia joined the Peace Corps from 2006-2008 where she served as an HIV/AIDS Health Educator in Honduras, built a community training center, and facilitated numerous training workshops to youth, teens, women, health professionals, community leaders, police cadets and men in prison addressing HIV/AIDS and gender-based education through community leadership education.  Upon returning to the US, Cynthia has been working at Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and is currently an MBA student at Pepperdine University.