While the leading cause of death from disease in children is pediatric brain tumors, the study of pediatric brain tumors receives insufficient federal funding. IAN’S FRIENDS FOUNDATION (IFF) WAS BORN TO FINANCE GROUNDBREAKING AND INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN THIS CRITICAL FIELD.

Since 2006, IFF has been responsible for raising over 30 million dollars for pediatric brain tumor research. Through independent grants and the innovative WhatIFF Symposium, IFF has funded 57 ground-breaking research projects at 32 world-renowned healthcare institutions. This funding leads to unique partnerships and novel research that is unlikely to receive support through other channels. IFF also serves as a beacon of hope and a trusted resource for families, healthcare providers, and researchers at leading hospitals and universities around the country.

AGE 17
DIAGNOSED AT AGE 10

AGE 21
DIAGNOSED AT AGE 2

AGE 15
DIAGNOSED AT AGE 1.5

SILENT AUCTION WILL CLOSE AT
9:30 PM PST

Manny Pargman Tribute

Avery Abt, Blake Cohen, Sophia Kraft

Loren Einstein and Elizabeth Schmitt

Co-Chairs

Cirque du Soleil

Performance

Cheryl & Phil Yagoda

IFF Founders

Gary Kohanbash, PhD

University of Pittsburgh

Elias Sayour, MD, PhD

University of Florida

Matija Snuderl, MD

NYU Langone Health

Kenny Shirey

Auctioneer

Katie & Will Grossenbacher

Stay and celebrate IFF’s accomplishments with

Meta Music DJ Tobi

Dear IFF Family,

Welcome to the 18th Annual Evening of Inspiration!

It brings us great joy to have you join us this evening, and we are incredibly grateful for your continued support and commitment. Being part of Ian’s Friends Foundation (IFF) fills our hearts with happiness as we witness the profound impact made on families while advancing our mission to find a cure for pediatric brain tumors.

We are honored to welcome our distinguished speakers, Katie and Will Grossenbacher. Their unwavering strength and dedication to their son Henry’s memory are truly inspiring. By advocating for all children and families affected by this heartbreaking disease, we take meaningful strides toward realizing the dream of a world without pediatric brain tumors.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to our sponsors and in-kind donors. Your generosity is what makes this evening possible, enabling IFF to advance its critical mission of funding pioneering research. Through innovative initiatives like our “Shark Tank”-inspired Symposium and NIH-matched grants, IFF is leading the charge against pediatric brain tumors.

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to our exceptional auction chairs, Jana Robinson and Randi Steuer, alongside our devoted auction committee. Additionally, we are thankful to the Mellers for their tireless work in expanding IFF’s reach to the West Coast. Your commitment and passion have significantly amplified IFF’s message.

As we gather tonight, let us take a moment to envision a future free from pediatric brain tumors.

WITH LOVE AND DEEP GRATITUDE

East Coast Chairs

Thank you for attending the Evening of Inspiration to find a cure for pediatric brain tumors.  Your belief in our mission and wholehearted commitment have allowed for prodigious achievements, and we are forever grateful!

When our son Ian was diagnosed with a brain tumor, we were scared and desperate. There were no good treatment options and very little research available. We created Ian’s Friends Foundation to fund the critical need for pediatric brain tumor research. IFF has not wavered from this purpose since the very beginning.

Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to accelerate efforts that bring us closer to better treatments—and ultimately, cures—for the children and families affected by these devastating diagnoses. Every dollar you contribute directly fuels the work of scientists and researchers who are working tirelessly to make breakthroughs in this challenging field.

Now, more than ever, your partnership is essential.

This past year, federal funding for pediatric brain tumor research has faced steep and painful cuts. This has left a significant gap—one that private foundations like ours are being called upon to fill. Researchers are depending on us to ensure that promising studies don’t stall, and that new, life-saving ideas continue to be explored.

Your support is not only generous—it is life-changing. Because of you, there is hope. Because of you, progress is possible.

Tonight would not be possible without our incredible Atlanta event chairs, Loren Einstein and Elizabeth Schmitt, who each have generously dedicated hours upon hours of their time over many years to make an impact on the lives of countless children. We cannot begin to thank you enough for your tireless and enthusiastic commitment to the cause.

Thank you to our incredible auction chairs – Jana Robinson and Randi Steuer. Asking for auction donations is NOT easy. Managing an auction and having it run smoothly is especially challenging.  Thank you for guiding your committee and putting together this amazing auction.

Marla Hoppenfeld, we just would not be able to make this event happen without you!

Thank you to the Meller family for carrying the torch to the West Coast and making IFF’s mission your own. You understand first hand the immediate need for pediatric brain tumor research and what our families fight for every single day. Your tireless dedication to raising awareness continues to help IFF succeed. Your family is an inspiration. We could not be more thankful that you have made IFF LA your own.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in this mission, in the science, and most importantly, in the children we serve.

To all of the families who continue to fight this battle,

WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP UNTIL THERE’S A CURE!

WITH MUCH LOVE AND GRATITUDE,

Cheryl and Phil Yagoda

AUGUST 14, 2019 – APRIL 6, 2020

Katie and Will Grossenbacher lost their 19-month-old son, Henry, to Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) in 2021. Henry was a joyful, curious baby who they thought was perfect.

A week before his first birthday in August 2020, Henry was taken to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta, where a scan revealed a mass on his brain. On August 14th, Henry’s first birthday, they received the news that Henry had brain cancer. Henry was diagnosed with ATRT, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer found predominantly in children under 3. The survival rate is less than 20%.
Henry began a trial that combined multiple rounds of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants. The treatment was brutal, but Henry’s spirit never dimmed. Even as he struggled through pain and exhaustion, he found joy — waving to nurses, exploring the halls, and lighting up the room with his smile.

After months in and out of the hospital, it was revealed that the trial was not working. Henry’s tumor continued to grow through the harshest chemotherapies. With no options left, they used an off-label therapeutic hoping for a chance. But after only a month, they learned the cancer was growing, and they were out of options.
In February 2021, after all treatments had failed, Will and Katie made the heartbreaking choice to shift to proton radiation as palliative care, hoping for a little more time. Within days, it became clear that radiation only caused him more pain. On March 3rd, they made the impossible decision to stop treatment. Henry passed away at home on April 6th.
Will and Katie felt early on during Henry’s cancer diagnosis that this was bigger than them. Our children need more than the limited and harsh treatment options available. What you see in the halls of the children’s oncology floor is heartbreaking. No child should suffer like Henry did.

Since his diagnosis in 2020, they’ve been involved with Ian’s Friends Foundation and focused on research to make progress for children battling brain cancer. Following his passing, a research project was initiated with IFF, focusing on identifying mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance in ATRT under the guidance of Dr. Andy Hong at Emory/CHOA. They are hopeful this research will lead to better, safer treatment options for children with ATRT. Will is an attorney, and Katie is a copywriter. They live in Atlanta with their two-year-old daughter, Gigi.

Kenny Shirey, with Kinetic Benefit Auctions, is a third-generation auctioneer who has been involved in the setup, and execution of many non-profits for over ten years. Creating excitement and laughter is what Kenny strives for. He would like to emphasize that every bid counts towards the goal. Even if you don’t win an item, just by putting your card in the air, you are creating excitement and support for the night. So have fun and happy bidding!

Kenny has helped Epilepsy OC, Make A Wish, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Ecology Center, Surfrider Foundation, Red Bull, ALS OC, Senior Concerns, and many more exceed their financial goals. They couldn’t do it without your help, so thank you for showing up!

Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA will be presented in Atlanta at Atlantic Station from Nov 6th to Jan 25th. In a series of grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, LUZIA takes audiences on a surreal escape to an imaginary Mexico – a sumptuously vibrant world suspended between dreams and reality. Smoothly passing from an old movie set to the ocean to a smoky dance hall or an arid desert, LUZIA journeys through a colorful tapestry of multiple places, faces and sounds of Mexico taken from both tradition and modernity.

Poetically guided by light (‘luz’ in Spanish) and rain (‘lluvia’), LUZIA chronicles the encounters of a parachuted traveler with the culture, nature and mythology of a dreamlike land inhabited by a mystifying menagerie of characters. Refreshing and unexpected, LUZIA enchants by artistically incorporating water into the acrobatic presentation – a first for a Cirque du Soleil touring production.

Meta Music’s new DJ education program is a fast-track journey to becoming a skilled DJ capable of energizing any crowd. Like our lessons for other popular instruments – guitar, piano, drums-our DJ program is taught through personalized, one-on-one sessions. But DJing is unique: students can go from beginner to stage-ready in a fraction of the time.

With hands-on training and expert guidance from industry pros, our comprehensive curriculum guides you through each step, from building high-energy set lists and mashups to creating original beats and loops that define your unique style. You’ll master essential equipment-PA systems, turntables, lighting, and software-while learning music theory, advanced techniques, and live performance skills to captivate any audience.

Since 2017, Meta Music has proudly partnered with lan’s Friends Foundation, and this year we’re honored to host the afterparty following tonight’s main event!

AGE 15
DIAGNOSED AT AGE 8

AGE 12
DIAGNOSED AT AGE 9

AUGUST 6, 2007 – JUNE 27, 2014

MARCH 17, 2012-SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

MARCH 1, 2014 – DECEMBER 16, 2022

Founded in 2021, IFF Jr. Atlanta’s mission focuses on three major ideas and objectives. 1. Create awareness of IFF and the need for funding of pediatric brain tumor research. 2. Create community. Getting together with friends is never not fun! The Jr’s are creating community and connection while learning the importance of philanthropy, which will keep them engaged and hopefully in leadership roles for years to come. 3. To learn how to create and run programs for awareness and fundraising. The IFF Jr’s are also formed to support existing IFF programs such as Evening of Inspiration, What IFF symposium and other meetings or events that may occur during the year.

2025 co-chairs are Blake Cohen and Ari Royal who attend Riverwood International Charter School and Remy Rosenberg and Wren Woodman who attend The Weber School. Parent Advisor is Ashley Woodman. The group this year is comprised of about 27 kids. High School Juniors and Seniors will be recruiting Sophomores later in the spring for the 2026-2027 class. Please contact Wren Woodman, [email protected] or Ashley Woodman, [email protected] for more information.

CHOA BLOOD DRIVE – Keeping with the mission of creating awareness, creating community, and learning how to run philanthropic programs, IFF Jr Atlanta is hosting their first annual Blood Drive with Children’s Hospital of Atlanta on January 31 from 10 am – 4 pm. This will take place in the parking lot of Scottish Rite Hospital, 1001 Johnson Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342. The goal is to raise at least 50 units of blood. 50 units can help 100 children. Please stop by to donate blood. There will also be a snack bar and a hot chocolate stand. We hope to see you there!

MARCH 28, 2012 – FEBRUARY 1, 2022

FEBRUARY 27, 2002 – JULY 29, 2014

AGE 21
DIAGNOSED AT AGE 16

After hearing from our honored speaker tonight, you will have the opportunity to give directly to IFF research in order to help IFF fight for a cure for pediatric brain tumors. Please consider a 100% tax-deductible donation at one of the following levels when the auctioneer asks.

NOVEMBER 20, 2016 – JULY 9, 2022

In the Raju lab, Dr.Raju and his team of collaborators have advanced a clinically compatible fucoidan polysaccharide-based nanoparticle that homes to p-selection on tumor vasculature to penetrate the BBB and deliver drugs into the tumor micro environment. This drug delivery is even further enhanced following low-dose radiation. Importantly, this strategy enhances drug localization in genetically-engineered mouse (GEM) models of medulloblastoma (mb) with an intact BBB. Targeting bromodomain and external (BET) proteins, which serve as powerful transcriptional coactivators, and have been proposed for DIPG and DMG, and other pediatric brain tumors driven by “undruggable” pathways. We at IFF feel strongly about this work and the rationale for the Fi-NP system. The biological target (BET proteins) is very relevant and timely, focusing on two diagnoses, DMG and DIPG, both of which have very unfavorable outcomes. With Dr. Raju’s deep dive into nanoparticle fate, delivery, and therapeutic capability, we feel the potential reward of this work is high, especially given the known activity of BET inhibitors against DMG and the evidence for a delivery solution.

At Columbia University, in partnership with Sanford Burnham, UC Berkeley, and the University of San Francisco, IFF has funded work that hopes to control the toxicity levels of drugs, specifically brain-restricted drugs for medulloblastoma.

Treatments may prolong survival; however, many patients relapse, pass, and many of those who survive do so suffering severe long-term side effects from their therapy. As systemic toxicity severely limits the amount of drug that can be administered safely, this problem limits dosing amounts, thereby reducing the efficacy of brain-specific therapy. To combat this, we need more effective and less toxic therapies to improve outcomes.

This IFF project aims to turn this problem “on its head”! The team researchers led by Dr. Rob Wechsler-Reya has created a strategy for creating brain-restricted drugs. This linkage allows the drug to be shut off by a molecule called RapaBlock. RapaBlock can not penetrate the brain, so when co-administered with a linked drug, it inhibits the activity of the drug outside of the brain while retaining the activity inside the brain. Proudly, this approach has been shown to be effective for multiple drugs, including inhibitors of Mechanistic Target Of Rapamycin (mTOR), Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), and SRC-family Kinases. Now building on this, the lab is focusing on a newly developed compound that targets the MYC oncoprotein. A small molecule has been discovered that rapidly reduces MYC levels in tumor cells. Modifying this molecule to improve potency and stability has produced what we hope is a highly effective MYC inhibitor. Further mechanistic studies revealed that the compound does not bind directly to MYC but rather inhibits an enzyme whose activity is essential for MYC expression. By linking this compound with a RapaBlock and a fragment of a natural product called FK506, the lab hopes to improve efficacy against medulloblastoma in the brain, and will allow RapaBlock to neutralize activity and prevent toxicity outside the brain.

A groundbreaking discovery in mitochondrial signaling could change the trajectory of cancer treatment, and brain cancer patients may benefit first.

Researchers at the University of Florida have identified a key immune system trigger that could form the foundation for a universal cancer vaccine designed to recognize and attack tumors across multiple cancer types, including some of the deadliest brain cancers.

Led by Elias Sayour, M.D., Ph.D., a UF Health pediatric oncologist and the Stop Children’s Cancer/Bonnie R. Freeman Professor for Pediatric Oncology Research, the experimental mRNA vaccine is proof of concept that there is a potential alternative treatment to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy

As AI becomes more prevalent across all aspects of medicine, its strength and accuracy are only possible through the creation and adaptation of the largest data sets available for machine learning. With IFF recognizing this need when others have not, this past year, we have forged what we feel will be the greatest innovation to help build AI-generated models. By developing a consortium of member hospitals and universities, an IFF lab will collect and digitize pathology slides and samples, fueling machine learning algorithms and AI models that can transform detection and diagnosis. This new initiative will give researchers access to a powerful platform providing real data to fuel the development of innovative models that could change the way we understand and combat pediatric brain tumors.

The IFF-NeuroSlides Consortium brings together the University of Michigan’s Machine Learning in Neurosurgery Lab and Ian’s Friends Foundation to assemble the most comprehensive digital pathology resource ever created for pediatric brain tumors.

Leveraging Ian’s Friends Foundation’s tissue-banking network, we are digitizing and harmonizing >20,000 whole-slide images (WSIs) from more than 2,000 children across the full WHO diagnostic spectrum — from diffuse and circumscribed gliomas to embryonal, pineal, and metastatic tumors.

Each case is accompanied by a rich panel of histochemical and immunohistochemical stains, and our pipeline includes algorithmic m-stain alignment that lets us analyze multi-stain biology as a single 3-D “stack” of data points. These slides, together with corresponding MRI and curated clinical data, form the backbone of a secure, de-identified research dataset ready for large-scale AI development with collaborations from around the world.

IFF has invested in the creation of what we hope will become the largest digitized bio repository in the world for brain cancer. The IFF consortium members will have open access to all of the greatest digitized resources, hoping to enable the field to move forward and therapies to progress because of the data made available thanks to all of you.

Building on this unprecedented dataset, we are training a suite of state-of-the-art deep-learning models under the umbrella name NeuroSlides-AI.

Core objectives include:

1. coarse-to-fine tumor subtype classification,
2. cross-stain representation learning that transfers knowledge from rare IHC stains back to routine H&E,
3. prediction of driver mutations and patient survival directly from tissue morphology, and
4. “virtual staining” and automated pathology-report generation to streamline clinical workflows.

By unifying histology with MRI and outcome data, the consortium aims to accelerate biomarker discovery, refine treatment stratification, and ultimately improve the lives of children with brain tumors.

Dr. Scott Floyd yielded great promise with Flash radiation and its capacity to deliver high doses of radiation while sparing healthy tissue, thereby increasing the potential for enhanced therapy thereby and laying the groundwork for the delivery of combinational therapies as well.

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have resulted in unprecedented response rates in many cancer types, they have not in pediatric high-grade gliomas. To try and combat this, Dr. Delores Hambardzumyan will examine the mechanism that drives the response to the immune checkpoint inhibitors, especially in constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome (present in over 25% of all pediatric high-grade gliomas), to help understand the mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in pediatric high-grade gliomas and subsequently how to target such mechanisms.

Dr. Rachel Sirianni is exploring the creation and engineering of CSF hydrodynamics for better treatment of pediatric brain tumors. Rachel has designed a carefully optimized infusion medium containing well-tolerated substances that provoke a rapid flush of fluid from the cerebral ventricles into the subarachnoid space. Using a new nanoparticle platform, Rachel will build “Tumor Torpedoes,” which, if successful, will yield new therapeutics capable of both spatial and molecular targeting.

As topical defects can cause cell death (apoptosis), this project focuses on engineering the presence of topical defects in peritumoral brain areas. As it is believed based on prior work that oncostream density correlates with tumor malignancy, if it is possible to disrupt the liquid crystalline order of brain tumors, it is plausible to be able to disrupt the cellular oncostream alignment, thereby interfering with the large-scale organization of brain tumors and therefore the tumor’s capacity for continued growth. If successful, the ability to control growth will be because of the disruption of the brain tumors. By leveraging the knowledge of the tumor organization, this project will then focus on the physical approaches that the brain tumor cells are poorly equipped to invade. Thus, by leveraging the tumor’s organization as active nematic liquid crystals into a novel physical approach, the desired effect and outcome is to eliminate brain tumor growth and the brain tumor’s malignant behavior.

Linked by Alice – Gift Certificate & Private Party

Hampden – Gift Certificate & Jewelry

Brochu Walker – Gift Certificate

Top Rate Diamonds – Diamond Earrings

Tassels – Bracelet

Duck Head – Waxed Canvas Luggage Set & Jacket

Throwing Stars – Custom Jewelry Design Experience

Cindy Ensor – Earrings

Dora Rae Boutique – Gift Certificate

The Cashmere Sale – Cashmere Wrap

Lennys Stack – Necklaces

Designs that Donate – Bag

BeadsbyBaker – Necklaces

Neiman Marcus – Lunch and Makeover

Miller Brothers – Gift Certificate

Pinkyblue4u – Personalized Zipper Pouches

Veronica’s Attic- Gift Certificate

Mitylene – Love Shack Fancy Tote

Jenni Kayne – Gift Certificate and Candle

Tootsies – Gift Card

Wringer Wear – Pickleball Package

Chef Steve Backyard – Hibachi Experience

Kaiser’s Chophouse – Chef’s Dinner with Wine Pairings

Umi – Tasting Menu Experience

Message In A Bottle/ Dash Hospitality Group – Private Dinner Experience

Mister 01 – Pizza Making Class & Gift Basket

Breadwinner – Gift Certificate

Tre Vele – Gift Certificate

Nowaks – Gift Certificate

Brooklyn Café – Gift Certificate

Ruby Bond – Gift Certificate

The Select – Gift Certificate

Delbar – Dinner Experience

St Cecilia – Gift Certificate

48th Street Italian Market – Antipasto Platter

ASW Distillery Tour and Tasting – Tour and Tasting

Social House Vodka – Vodka

Skin Therapy by Jennifer Curtin – Microneedling with Laser Genesis and PDRN

Blo Blow Dry Bar – Beauty Experience Package

Olansky Dermatology – Clear & Brilliant Laser Treatment

Bernadette’s – Gift Certificate

Jill Ratner – OmBase Yoga – Class Package

BASE Fashion & Facial Bar – Facial Bar Experience

VRAI Aesthetics – Botox and Sculptra

Head 2 Toe Spa – Gift Certificate

Hair by Z Salon – Haircare Package

Yonder Yoga – Class Package

Eclipse Private Exercise – Private Training Package

Hammond Nails – Gift Certificate

Fit 9 Wellness – Consultation & Peptide Program

Stellar Bodies – Class Package

Hair by Johanna Clark – Color and Cut Package

Buckhead Orthodontics – Orthodontic Records Package

eia by Daniela Ezratty – Microneedling Package

Nail & Lash Studio – Gift Certificate

Mary Alise Fine Art – Private Art Experience

Garden & Gun – Southern Lifestyle Package

Craft Lab ATL – Matchbook Shadowbox & Private Event Certificate

Duck Head – Retro Neon Sign – Illuminated Statement Piece

Linda Nichols Photography – Photography Session

EA Collective Atlanta – Photography Session

Holland Portraits – Family Portrait Experience

Simplify with Stephanie – Professional Home Organizing

Kristin Cooney Studio – Original Artwork

Prestine Pool Cleaning – Pool Cleaning

Smithey Ironware – Cast Iron Set

Dunwoody Art Gallery – Artwork

Jeckil Promotions – Tailgate Bench

Burn the Wood – Firewood

Mud Pie – Serveware & Décor Gift Basket

RSkolsky Designs – Artwork

LUXE Painted Portraits – This is Me Portrait Experience

LUXE Painted Portraits – Portrait Sitting and Painting

Let’s Rack and Roll – Personalized Mahjong Class

Mahjong Besties – Mahjong Tile Set

DeCorr and More – Rummikub Set

Live Kindy Florist – Floral Arrangements

Wacheeta Wood – Firewood

AV Dog Training – Dog Training Package

Kudzu & Company – Gift Certifcate and Platter

The Bourbon Brothers Band – Live Music

UGA Football – VIP Behind the Scene Tour

AJ Hatchett IAM Performance Co. – Training Package

Braves Tickets – Oppenheimer Family

UGA Tickets – Orstadt Family

Fever Entertainment – DJ Package

Braves Package – Johnson Family

Classic Tents & Events – Party Tent Package

Northside Yard Cards – Gift Certificate

City Springs Theatre – The Wizard of Oz Tickets

Cirque du Soleil – Backstage Tour Package

BRAVO! – Watch What Happens Live Tickets

Premier Racquet Sports – Pickleball Package

The Standard Club Round of Golf – Round of Golf

Stitch Golf – Golf Bag and Hat

Brock Bowers Autographed Football – Autographed Football

Buffalo Bills Autographed Football – Autographed Football

Mini Georgia Football Helmet Autographed by Kirby Smart – Autographed Helmet

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota – Sarasota

Dahlonega Resort & Spa/Vineyard – Georgia

The Madeline Hotel – Telluride

Rosewood Mandarina – Mexico

Montage Deer Valley – Utah

Virgin Hotel – Nashville

The White Elephant – Nantucket

Andaz Costa Rica – Costa Rica

Rosewood Le Guanahani – St Barth

Eden Rock – St Barth

Barnsley Resort – Adairsville

Hotel Bardo – Savannah

Intercontinental Hotel – Atlanta

The Cloister – Sea Island

The Almanac – Barcelona

Hotel Bennett – Charleston

The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe – California

AGE 24
DIAGNOSED AT AGE 13

Age 17
Diagnosed at age 9

• Please stop by checkout at the end of the program.
• You can pay by check, provide a credit card, or request to be invoiced.

AUCTION GUIDELINES

• The Silent Auction will close at 9:30 PM EST.
• All Winning Bids are final. There will be no exchanges or refunds on items unless specified.
• All completed sales from this event are considered transactions solely between the purchaser and the donor of the auction item.
• IFF reserves the right to withdraw any item from sale.
• It is the purchaser’s responsibility to read items carefully, make arrangements for redemption, and follow specified instructions.
• Please carefully check envelopes containing gift certificates before leaving.
• IFF is NOT responsible for replacing lost gift certificates, gift cards, or items left at the event.
• All gift card usage is the responsibility of the buyer.
• IFF cannot be held responsible for unused gift cards at businesses that may cease to operate before the expiration date.
• IFF is under no obligation to extend, modify, or change items or restrictions on items/certificates.
• Unless otherwise stated, dinner certificates exclude alcohol, tax, and gratuity and may have certain date restrictions.
• IFF has endeavored to catalog and describe all items correctly, but all property is sold “as is.” NO statements contained in the program or made orally at the sale, or elsewhere, shall be deemed a warranty, representation, or assumption of liability.
• Bidders should carefully note the specific restrictions, conditions, and expiration dates for items purchased.
• Items depicted in the live auction “slide” presentation are for illustrative purposes and may not be actual auction items.
• Dates for all trips and similar events must be mutually arranged with the donor, unless otherwise noted. All reservations should be made at least one month in advance.
• No refunds are permitted for canceled, lost, or unused tickets and/or accommodations.
• Travel insurance is not included as part of the travel packages.
• Note: For tax purposes, the value of the meal, including beverages, is estimated to be $175.00 per person. When buying auction items, all contributions in excess of the fair market value of the item are tax deductible as a gift to a charitable organization. IFF encourages all attendees, donors, and contributors to follow IRS revenue ruling 67- 246 and consult their tax advisor or attorney concerning the deductibility of gifts to this event.
• Fund-a-Lab donations are 100% tax deductible. Letters confirming donations will be mailed after payment has been collected.
• IFF is NOT responsible for any auction items unclaimed after March 1, 2026
• Auction Items listed as of October 27, 2025.

AGE 25
DIAGNOSED AT AGE 12

December 16, 2007 – July 15, 2025

OCTOBER 1, 2003 – AUGUST 5, 2020

NOVEMBER 12, 2006 – APRIL 18, 2014

Private Chef Dinner – Featuring Kevin Rathbun for up to 12 Guests

Impress your guests and transform your home with help from one of Atlanta’s best chef: Kevin Rathbun. He will create a customized five-course menu for up to twelve (12) guests, complete with wine pairings.

Don’t fret about a single detail: TOPHER MACK FLORAL & EVENTS, led by Chris Macksey & Barbara Roos, will handle décor. This package includes the renowned chefs, food, staff, and service.

Bon Appétit! Mutually agreed upon date.

Special Thanks:

KEVIN RATHBUN and TOPHER MACK FLORAL & EVENTS

Coachella Experience – 4 Tickets + 2 Bedroom Villa (April 13-20, 2026)

Get ready for the ultimate music and lifestyle experience at Coachella 2026 — one of the world’s most iconic festivals! You and three guests will enjoy four (4) VIP passes granting exclusive access to premium viewing areas, shaded lounges, private bars, and gourmet food options throughout the festival weekend. Your experience continues with a luxurious seven-night stay (April 13–20, 2026) in a private two-bedroom villa, offering the perfect retreat to relax, recharge, and take in the California desert sunsets after each incredible day of music and art. This unforgettable week promises the best of Coachella — world-class performan

Original Painting

The times of your life.

Everyone has their own stories, their personal memories, and events that shaped their lives. Tell your story through a custom designed piece of art created in collaboration with an amazing artist who will design and create your one of a kind painting in a size you decide up to 4 feet x 5 feet. This collaboration will be ongoing as he shares his progress until the painting is complete. This is the story of someone else’s journey, now memorialize your own for your family and friends to see hung proudly in your office or home.

Scottish Highlands Giveaway – Private Estate Stay, Scotch Tour & Golf at Carnoustie

You won’t want to leave your kilts at home for this one. Enjoy the opportunity to visit Scotland’s premier Distiller, The Glenroths! Owned by the amazing trust, which also owns other superior brands such as Macallan, Highland Park, and The Glenturret, get ready to experience a trip curated by the estate for an opportunity not available before.

What’s Included:

• A three-night stay in the exclusive private Glenroth’s estate house.
• A private tour of the CLOSED to the public whisky distillery and a chance to meet and interact with the whisky makers themselves.
• Tour the 300+ private acres ESTATE and a guided whiskey tasting of exclusive expressions from the estate’s collection.
• A dinner prepared by an acclaimed private chef using only the finest Scottish produce
• A private car to and from Aberdeen or Inverness airport
• AND…a never-sold bottle of a rare cask whisky, aged 44 years old, signed by the Master Whisky Maker (valued unsigned at over $13,000)

But the bagpipes do not stop playing there. Additionally enjoy:

• Either a tour for 4 of Johnstone’s of Elgin, the premier cashmere producer, or
• Clay pigeon shooting for 4.
• Finally, grip it and rip it like those on the European Tour.

Experience one of the British Open Golf Courses firsthand. You and up to three others will experience one round on each of the 3 Courses of “Carnoustie”, including one round on the infamous Champions Course!

Ultimate Sports Package – 2 Tickets to Both The Super Bowl & All NCAA Final Four Games

Get ready for the sports experience of a lifetime! This incredible package includes two (2) tickets to the Super Bowl and two (2) tickets to the all NCAA Final Four games — the ultimate access to football and basketball at the highest level. Feel the roar of the crowd, witness historic moments live, and experience the thrill of the game like never before. Don’t miss your chance to be front and center for two of the biggest sporting events in the world!

Audemars Piguet Watch

Own an exclusive luxury timepiece, hand-picked for IFF. Family-owned and operated since 1875, Audemars Piguet is known for their innovation, creativity and eye-catching design. This year’s winning bidder will have time on their side as they receive this hand-picked watch from Audemars Piguet’s collection.

Audemars Piguet’s watches are adorned by famed collectors – now, you too can have an Audemars Piguet luxury timepiece and share in a company’s history of ensuring children do not lose time!

Special Thanks:

AUDEMARS PIGUET

Diamonds are Forever

Get ready to dazzle! Ladies’ diamond tennis bracelet from Ascot Diamonds is crafted in 14-karat white gold and radiating pure elegance. This show-stopping piece features 34 round brilliant-cut diamonds — all G color and VS+ clarity — totaling an incredible 10.80 carats of sparkle. A timeless statement of sophistication, this bracelet will light up any evening and turn heads wherever you go.

Exclusive Resorts Vacation – 5 Night Luxury Stay

What’s better than a vacation of a lifetime where you can take a vacation from planning. Let Exclusive Resorts craft a once in a lifetime experience. Exclusive Resorts is the world’s premiere members only vacation club and is excited to offer a five (5) nights luxury vacation in one of eight (8) vacation destinations to include: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Lake Tahoe, CA; Los Cabos, Mexico; Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica; Real de Mar, Puerto Vallarta; Sea Island, GA; Scottsdale, AZ; Steamboat Springs, CO.

Wherever you choose to travel, you will enjoy all The Club’s standard services including a Vacation Ambassador who will assist you with choosing the perfect destination for your vacation, daily housekeeping, and a dedicated on-site Concierge to ensure your vacation is exactly what you want it to be.

Experience Exclusive Resort’s motto firsthand: PLAY. LOVE. LIVE.

Travel must be completed by November 23, 2025

Special Thanks:

EXCLUSIVE RESORTS & MICHAEL DEAN

Batting Lessons with Matt Olson

Learn from the best with a private batting lesson from the Atlanta Braves’ Home Run Record Holder and two-time winning Gold Glove first baseman, Matt Olson. You and 5 friends will get expert tips from the league’s premier first baseman at Atlanta’s premier baseball training facility, Maven Baseball Lab. This state-of-the-art facility will help you perfect your swing while soaking up the knowledge from this amazing MLB superstar. You can’t ask for a better coach.

Special Thanks:

MATT OLSON, TYLER KRIEGER, SEAN MCLAUGHLIN, & MAVEN BASEBALL LAB

Labradoodle Puppy

Bring home a sweet and loving addition to your family with a new four-legged friend. Snuggle up with an Australian Labradoodle hypoallergenic puppy. Davis Doodles have been raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted Australian Labradoodle puppies for over 17 years. Their goal is to raise stable, allergy and asthma-friendly puppies that will fit into any type of family dynamic. Share your life with everyone’s best friend while helping us find a cure for pediatric brain tumors.

Application must be completed by winner.

Special Thanks:

DAVIS DOODLES

AGE 11
DIAGNOSED AT AGE 7

AGE 11
DIAGNOSED AT AGE 7

MAY 26, 2001- DECEMBER 15, 2012

Age 12
Diagnosed at age 5

JULY 11, 2001 – NOVEMBER 9, 2011

MAY 9, 2005 – AUGUST 29, 2015

The Marcus Foundation

The Goldhirsh-Yellin Foundation
in memory of Bernie & Wendy Goldhirsh

Michele & David Hirsch

Chad Rosenberg

Erica & Evan Fisher

Pavna & Barun Brahma
Cheryl & Phil Yagoda
Henry & Etta Raye Hirsch Heritage Family Foundation
Anonymous
Tracey & Trevor Engelson
Kurland Family Foundation

Katherine & Bryan Klunder

KASEY ASARCH

WENDYI ASPES

JOEL BABBIT

JENNIFER BABBIT BODNER

ARTHUR BODNER

RITA BODNER

KEVIN COX

BANU ELIZONDO

GREGG FREISHTAT

DAVID HIRSCH

STEVE LIPSKY

MOHAMED MASSAQUOI

JOEY MELLER

KATHY ORTSTADT

JOSH ROSENBERG

ANTHONY SANTORELLI

LARRY SMITH

WILLIAM STEUER

JENNIFER TOURIAL

CHERYL YAGODA

PHIL YAGODA

MAY 17, 2007 – NOVEMBER 11, 2012

Age 19
Diagnosed at age 14

JANUARY 5, 2011 -DECEMBER 6, 2017

FEBRUARY 18, 1999 -JULY 3, 2021

MARCH 12, 2018 – JULY 30, 2021

IFF’s unique and innovative approach to pediatric cancer research maximizes funds raised to be distributed to our pediatric brain tumor research partners.

• IFF funds cutting-edge research that is unlikely to receive funding otherwise.
• IFF identifies and eliminates roadblocks to support research designed to find a cure for pediatric brain tumors.
• IFF creates unique partnerships between world-renowned institutions to further the goal of finding a cure.

Our research is making incredible progress and receiving scientific recognition that would not be possible without IFF funding.

Age 15
Diagnosed at age 7