Embracing Creativity Triggered by Brain Cancer: Art of the Brain Celebrates 17th Anniversary Gala for Brain Cancer Research in Los Angeles on September 17, 2016

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Sep 13, 2016, 08:30 ET

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, September 17 beginning at 6:30 PM at UCLA's Schoenberg Hall and Plaza, 445 Charles E. Young Drive, East, Los Angeles, CA 90024, Art of the Brain, (AOB) an unprecedented organization of "Brain Buddies," brain cancer patients and families who celebrate art, creativity and life undefeated by brain cancer, will enjoy its 17^th anniversary Gala. Hundreds of friends will gather to enjoy the festivities, food, music, and entertainment. Jason Barry, award-winning reporter from CBS 5 in Phoenix, AZ will reprise his annual role as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

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This year's gala will honor and remember Art of the Brain's founder, Judi Kaufman, who lost her courageous 18-year battle against brain cancer in September 2015. In recognition of the extraordinary efforts of Kaufman, it will be announced at the gala that the entryway to the UCLA Neuro Oncology clinic, a hallway that Kaufman walked down countless times during her last 18 years, will be named The Judi Kaufman Gallery. In addition to this honor, the entryway to the Reed Neurological Research Center at UCLA is now the Judi Kaufman Lobby honoring Kaufman and Art of the Brain.

A successful entrepreneur, community activist and poet, Kaufman was diagnosed with her first brain cancer tumor in 1997. Based on Kaufman's vision, AOB centers on creativity, in all its forms, as a vehicle to help brain cancer patients survive and regain their self-esteem in the face of debilitating brain cancer side effects. Kaufman turned to poetry as her path back to hope in the wake of the damaging effects of brain cancer and its treatments. A published poet, Kaufman's books of poetry include "Passion and Shadow: The Lights of Brain Cancer", and "Do You Want Your Brain to Hurt Now or Later?" The organization also highlights brain cancer patients and their families and is focused on raising funds for brain cancer research. AOB's unique network of volunteer Brain Buddies, who help to support and mentor individuals and families struggling with brain cancer, also comprise the small army of volunteers who make the annual Art of the Brain gala a success.

"Although Judi said goodbye to us just one year ago, her creative soul, courageous spirit, and most importantly, her loving heart will never leave us. Her heart continues to beat in all the lives that she touched. Her spirit surrounds all of us. Through Art of the Brain, her fight, her love and her heart will beat on forever," said Roy Kaufman, Judi's husband.

Art of the Brain raises public awareness about brain cancer, spotlights the strength and courage of brain cancer patients, and helps raise money for brain cancer research at UCLA's Neuro-Oncology Program in order to find a cure. Since 1999, AOB has garnered almost $10 million for brain cancer research.

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Art of the Brain's 2016 Gala is generously sponsored by:
The Kaufman Family
Johnny Mercer Foundation
Richard Dean Anderson
Ann Ramer
Joan and Gerald Doren
Arlene Spiegelman
Faramarz Yousefzadeh
Fred Hayman Family Foundation
Jadi and Gy Waldron
Jennifer Kaufman and Vladimir Valdes
Marlene and David Capell
Nu Image
Valerie and Bob Fairbank
Joyce and Bill Bromiley
Bunny Wasser and Howard Bernstein