2014 TBCF Honorees
Heart of Gold Award: William “Billy” Baldwin
Billy has been an unwavering supporter of TBCF since 2008. He has gifted his talent and time to support the organization through his role as master of ceremonies and auctioneer for TBCF’s Saks & The City event on multiple occasions, an event that, thanks to his support has generated $697,922 for families since first established in 2008. Billy also served as a committee member for one of TBCF’s 2011 fundraising events, An Evening of Laughter and Love Honoring Carol Burnett.
In addition to Billy’s support of TBCF, he is a dedicated supporter of several notable causes, including Creative Coalition and as vice-president of the Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, which he and his brothers started in honor of their mother, a cancer survivor.
Billy was born in New York to a family of six children. Billy and three of his siblings – Alec, Daniel and Stephen – all became actors. Billy hit the big screen in 1989 and has acted in many successful films, including Born on the Fourth of July, Flatliners, Backdraft, Sliver, Fair Game, Virus, Double Bang, The Squid and The Whale, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, as well as television dramas Dirty Sexy Money, Gossip Girl, Parenthood, and Hawaii Five-O. Beyond Billy’s busy career as an accomplished film and television actor, producer, and writer he and his wife, pop singer Chynna Phillips, dedicate much of their time to their two daughters and son. Billy enjoys coaching football at the Montecito YMCA, basketball at the Page Youth Center and baseball for the Santa Barbara Pony League.
Humanitarian Award: Dr. Francisco Bracho
Dr. Francisco Bracho is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist in Ventura County, and has served as the director of the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology program at Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) since December 2007. He is also a member of the Division of Hematology-Oncology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).
Dr. Bracho provides both in-patient and out-patient diagnostic consultations and treatments at VCMC, a satellite center for cancer and blood diseases of CHLA, that provides local services and collaborates with CHLA for tertiary care and clinical research.
Dr. Bracho received his bachelor of science and medical doctorate from the University of California at Los Angeles and completed his pediatric residency at University of Southern California. He also completed hematology/oncology fellowships at Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Georgetown University Medical Center. Before embarking in the field of medicine, Dr. Bracho engaged in numerous humanitarian efforts, including advocacy work to improve the working conditions for farm and garment workers.
Dr. Bracho was introduced to TBCF in 2007, and has offered his enduring support through his position on TBCF’s Advisory Council. He always brings special toys to the clinic for the children, and continuously works with local nonprofits to make the clinic as kid friendly as possibly by getting items donated such as ipads, toys, and a big screen TV. He has been a pillar of goodwill in the community and makes an enormous positive impact in the lives of families that he serves.
Humanitarian Award: Dr. Christopher Landon
Dr. Christopher Landon serves CareThings as chief medical officer. He is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric pulmonology. He received his medical degree from University of Southern California and is currently a clinical associate professor of pediatrics. He completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at Stanford University Hospital and a fellowship in allergy, immunology and respiratory diseases at Children’s Hospital at Stanford. Dr. Landon is director of the Pediatric Diagnostic Center, a pediatric multi-specialty referral clinic dedicated to treating children with every-day health problems as well as those needing specialized care. Dr. Landon is also director of pediatrics at Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, a UCLA-Affiliated Family Medicine Residency. Additionally, he serves as a clinical assistant professor of family medicine at UCLA.
Dr. Landon was first introduced to TBCF in 2007 and was instrumental in paving the way for a collaborative partnership between Ventura County Medical Center and TBCF. Dr. Landon has hosted meet-and-greet events in Ventura County and has been a dynamic ambassador of TBCF. Every year on Christmas morning, he dresses up as Santa Claus and delivers gifts to the children in the hospital. His office is filled with items such as giant clown shoes, wizard caps and other things to make the children laugh. He continues to make a profound impact on the lives of the families he serves.
Pay it Forward Award: Jeff & Erika Zamora
Jeff & Erika Zamora became a recipient of TBCF’s program services in 2006 when their son, Jeffrey Zamora II, was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 18 months. Since the family’s introduction to TBCF, the Zamoras have been remarkable ambassadors of the organization and have resolutely donated their time, hearts, and energy by “Paying-It-Forward” to other families in need as well as advocating for pediatric cancer awareness initiatives. They have supported TBCF by sponsoring families for Project Christmas and Universal Studios, donating items to TBCF Kids, driving families to treatment, participating in TBCF’s Grizzly Club Program, and supporting families as positive mentors and role models. They have also shared their personal journey of their family’s experience with pediatric cancer at numerous events, including Saks & The City, various local benefit events, and television interviews. Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation would like to thank the Zamora Family for “Paying-It-Forward” in such a powerful way. You continue to make an incredible difference in the lives of others in our community!
Helping Hands Award: National Charity League, Santa Barbara Chapter
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation has been honored to work with the women and girls of National Charity League’s Santa Barbara Chapter since 2011. Their incredible support of our families each year has been instrumental to our organization. National Charity League volunteers have worked various TBCF events such as our annual Mothers Spa Day, Family Fun Days, Holiday Party, bone marrow drives, and benefit events. They have hand-crafted seasonal window decorations for our kids in the hospital, created photo albums for TBCF families, and assisted us with numerous projects in our office. They have generously gifted their time to help with event set-up and break-down, face-painting, arts & crafts, serving food, and have always made our families feel welcomed and loved. We are grateful to National Charity League’s Santa Barbara Chapter and especially to our current and past liaisons, Anne Scarborough, Allison Heiduk, Cheryl Hess, and Wendy Wu. Your love and compassion for local families we serve continues to be a true reminder of the good in our community.
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