Magic Show amazes at Children's Hospital in San Diego.

On June 17, 2010, the foundation held a special magic show for all children admitted to Children's Hospital in San Diego. A very special thank you to our magician, Adam Wylie, for entertaining the kids. Each child recieved a magic wand, hand made and donated by Tom Macanda. The foundation would also like to recognize Belinda Lanois, and Melinda Raybould of Children's Hospital, for cooridnating with the foundation to make this event possible.

Melissa Becerra celebrates at Knotts Berry Farm!

Melissa Becerra, of Thousand Palms, CA, celebrated her 14th birthday with family and friends at Knotts Berry Farm in Anahiem, CA. The foundation granted her admission tickets, as well as spending money for souveniers. In addition, the foundation granted her a Wii package with accessories, an Ipod Touch, and a gift card to Target. Happy Birthday Melissa!

Laptop for Loan program is in effect!

The foundation is proud to announce that the 'Laptop for Loan' program is in effect and going well. With the money received from the Thursday Club, the foundation was able to purchase three MacBooks, among other accessories, and loan them out to kids while they are admitted to Rady's Children's Hospital in San Diego. They will be able to do school work, play games, watch movies, listen to music, and stay in touch with friends and family. Below are a few photos of kids that have received them. The foundation would also like to acknowledge Chris Holden for heading up the program and ensuring the kids receive the computers, while maintaing health code standards. Thank you Chris!

Caleigh Haber receives Wii package!

• Caleigh Haber
• Age 18
• Orange County, CA

Caleigh Haber received a Wii, Wii Fit, Rockband 2, Mario Kart, and other accessories!

Jackie Harper goes horseback riding!

• Jackie Harper
• Age 15
• San Diego, CA

Jackie Harper received a digital camera and horseback riding lessons for a year!

CHLA's Lung Transplant Team goes green!

In celebration of Saint Patrick's Day, the Children's Hospital Los Angeles lung transplant team supported Cystic Fibrosis by wearing green Big Worm's CF Foundation t-shirts! The foundation also delivered various toys to CF patients staying in CHLA over the Saint Patrick's Day holiday.

Big Worm gives to 16 kids over Christmas!

The foundation was able to sponsor eighteen kids over the holidays. Of those eighteen, sixteen were granted one gift each. Those gifts included: Ipod shuffles, movie theatre tickets, video games, Webkinz, High School Musical and Hannah Montana accessories, magic trick accessories, and art supplies. A very big thank you to Social Worker Laurie Burst, and Child Life Specialist Melinda Raybould at Rady's Children's Hospital San Diego for their continued support and coordination between Big Worm's Foundation and the CHSD patients.

Fernanda received High School Musical and Hannah Montana Accessories, along with an AMC movie theatre gift card.

• Fernanda
• Age 6
• National City, CA

Thanksgiving recipients!

The foundation gave gifts to two kids spending their Thanksgiving in Children's Hospital San Diego. Both were very excited and thankful to receive their gifts, which will help pass the time while they are in the hospital!

• Emma
• Age 6
• San Diego, CA

Emma received an exquisite High School Musical doll house and a Hannah Montana karaoke machine, along with other High School Musical and Hannah Montana accessories.

• Michael
• Age 18
• San Diego, CA

Michael receieved an Apple Ipod Touch, an Itunes gift card, and an AMC gift card.

2008 Big Worm's Holiday Fundraiser raises over 4,000 dollars!

• November 15, 2008
• Point Loma

Our fundraising goals were met through donations by the community which were sold in a silent auction, poker tournament, t-shirt sales, and beautiful holiday ornaments that were crafted by CF patients at San Diego Children’s Hospital. Each child that created an ornament will be receiving a generous gift from Big Worms foundation. 

The amazing part of the holiday fundraiser was the new faces that were just learning about Cystic Fibrosis and Big Worms foundation for the first time.  Everyone opened their wallet and heart to the cause and the spirit that was felt at the event was amazing.  

Thank you to everyone that participated in the event, those that continue to spread the message and spirit about the foundation, and most of all to Worm for bringing this  foundation into all of our hearts and lives.

Heather Shields took home first prize. Congratulations Heather!

Jocelyn Loza takes on Disneyland!

• Age 13
• Compton, CA

Jocelyn Loza was referred to Worm through Carolyn Buckley, a social worker at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Jocelyn received Disneyland tickets and 300 dollars spending cash. Jocelyn and her family were very grateful to receive this gift and would like to thank everyone for donating and making this possible!

Big Worm's CF Life Foundation receives grant from Las Patronas!

Las Patronas, a San Diego based organization, generously chose Big Worm’s CF Life Foundation as one of their 2008 beneficiaries. With the money granted, our foundation was able to purchase a new computer that will allow us to update the website and keep in contact with social workers and kids at Children’s Hospital. Las Patronas is committed to providing financial assistance to nonprofit organizations in San Diego County that provide valuable community services in the areas of health, education, social services and cultural arts, and to continuing our tradition of service to enhance the quality of life in our community. Everyone at our foundation would like to thank all the wonderful people at the Las Patronas organization for helping keep Big Worm’s CF Life Foundation on a path towards a great future.

To learn more about Las Patronas please visit their website: www.laspatronas.org

Big Worm's Big Give Raises Big Money!

May 28, 2008 event at RT's Longboard Bar & Grill turned out to be bigger than imagined. Raising a total of 12,663.21 dollars! The foundation would love to thank Rebecca Straka, Terry and Heather Kraszewski, and Kimmy Lamb for their time and dedication to this event. The foundation would also like to thank the people that came to the event for their donations and support.

Lastly we would like to thank the sponsors for generously donating their products to make this event possible: Budweiser, Sector 9, Dave and Buster's, South Coast Surf Shop, Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, Rusty, Aaron Chang, Hot Curl, Shannon McIntyre Surf Art, Rip Curl, O'Neil, Volcom, Kona Brewing Co., Avalon Preisendorfer, Barbarella Restaurant, Belmont Park: Amusment Park, Bibby's Crepe Cafe, Chip Crandall, Dave Brown, Designs of the Interior, Electric, Essentials, Freestyle, Fricko, Get Back Designs, Darius Films, Gliders, Goodtime Charlie's Bar and Grill, Gary Bryant, Greg Huliger, Hike and Bike Kayak Sports Inc., Hurley, Jan Ellis, Janie Moore, Jen Moore, Kim Marie Woods, The kitchen at the Shores, La Jolla Kayak, La Jolla Shores Hotel, Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant, Lost, Luckey You, Mary & Mike Small, Matix, Matuse Wetsuits, Menehune Surf School, Mission Bay Aquatic Center, Mitch's Surf Shop, Nixon, Niz Couture, Nelson Photo Supply, Ocean Girl, OEX, Omni Hotel, The Original Pancake House, Original Roadhouse Grill, P.B. Surfshop, Peter Grimm, Piatti Restaurant, Plan B, Point Loma Boardroom, & RT's Longboard Grill, Seaweed Sign Co., Shine Art, Silver Italiano, Smith, South Pacific Promotions, Spy, Surf Angel, Syndrome Distribution, Tropical Thatch Co., Von Zipper, & Zinka!!

On Behalf of the Foundation, the money was presented to Matthew's father, Kevin, along the breaks of Sunset Cliffs, a place where Worm was usually spotted surfing.

Happy New Year! 2008 is Looking Great.

Happy New Year in 2008! Thank you everyone for all your donations over the last year. Our foundation was able to sponsor 9 kids over the Holidays! This brought our total to over 13 kids for 2007! All the kids received gifts such as Ipods, skateboards, bikes, gift cards for clothes, X-Box 360, Games, Nintendo DS, UGG Boots, Digital Cameras, Computer games and balls for certain sports. Your donations helped us bring smiles to the faces of many deserving children. We look forward to continuing our efforts in 2008 and we hope our work will bring a little hope and happiness to children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis.

All the kids wrote the foundation wonderful thank you cards. They all expressed extreme appreciation for all the donations.

Thank you to our major contributors over the past year.

• Intuit Foundation
• Angelika & Preston Drake
• Manglos Family
• Dommel Family
• Montisano Family
• San Diego Fire Fighters Local 145
• GameZnFlix Inc

The Dommel Texas Hold'em Fundraiser

• Organizer: The Dommel Family
• Nov 3rd, 2007
• The Dommel House

Thank you to the Dommel Family for Hosting a fundraiser to help sponsor families with Cystic Fibrosis for the Holidays. There was some exciting poker play and everyone had a great time. The fundraiser raised $1,000 dollars. Thanks again to SurfSide Cuisine for catering the event.

Harry Potter Book Giveaway

• Organizer: Debbi Montisano
• July 21st, 2007
• Rady's Children's Hospital

Thank you to Debbi Montisano for organizing a Harry Potter Party at Rady's Children's Hospital bringing patients 75 copies of the last Harry Potter edition the day it came out. Everyone who donated a book at 20$ had a nameplate placed in the book dedicated in their name.

Armando Rangal Loves the Padres

• Age: 19
• Big Worm's CF Life Foundation Recipient

Armando Rangal from Children's Hospital has Cystic Fibrosis. Armando is 19 and is a huge San Diego Padres fan. To help ease Armando's time spent in the hospital he received:

San Diego Padres gear
Baseball Glove/ Balls
Baseball Cards
Personal Play Station
3 Games and 3 movies
CD Player with Bose Headphones

Thank you to GamezNFlix for their 1,000 donations to help make these gifts happen for Armando. www.gameznflix.com

New Big Worm's CF Life Foundation Recipient

• Kaitlyn Fisher
• Age; 15
• San Diego

Kaitlyn Fisher age 15 received a surfboard, full wetsuit, springsuit and a week of surfing lessons for her and a friend. Kaitlyn says thank you to everyone that helped make this happen.

Cinta's Fundraiser

• February 24, 2007
• Fundraiser for Julie Solar
• San Diego

Great Party! Huge success!

The Cinta's family held a fundraiser at their residence in Point Loma. Catered again by famous Surfside Cuisine. Many friends from the Point Loma area came to enjoy comradely amongst each other. Live music by The Raw Tones livened up the event with some great tunes! The event raised a total of $1,600 dollars!!! Thank you to everyone that was able to join us at this event.



Thank you to Fitzpatrick Homes for a huge donation of $2,000 dollars. The CF Staff at Rady Children�fs Hospital, CF patients, as well as myself, Worm, appreciates your donation.

The funds raised between these two generous acts were in return donated as a sponsor to Julie Solar, a patient at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego that is battling Cystic Fibrosis. Julie is optimistic, genuine, and very appreciative. She received upon request a HP Laptop with case, Printer, IPOD music player, headphones, and Digital Camera. These gifts will help Julie continue to finish high school, go on to college and through life�fs endeavors. Julie would like to let everyone know she really appreciates his or her time and concerns for Cystic Fibrosis.

THANK YOU!

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Fundraiser

• Silent Auction

Big Worm's Cystic Fibrosis Life Foundation donated 2 surfboards to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as silent auction items to help raise money for CF research. The surfboards were an expense to the foundation at $300.00 dollars each, and in return rose up to $3,000 dollars for research. Thanks to your donations we were able to make all this happen.

Happy New Year in 2007!

Due to your generosity, our foundation was able to sponsor two families from San Diego during the holidays. The foundation would like to say THANK YOU to everyone that has donated their time to the Big Worm�fs Cystic Fibrosis Life Foundation and to helping others. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

The Ramirez Family received 3 BMX Bicycles, Xbox-360, toys, games, and a Food-4-Less gift card.
Jose (patient), 8
Brandon, 12
Yesennia, 10

Gutierrez Family received many winter outfits, Apple Ipods, a Food-4-Less gift card, movies, games, and toys.
Maria (patient), 15
Jackeline, 6
Jocelyn, 4

Special Thanks to our Sponsors for 2006
Mitchell Family
Camarata Family
Malcangio Family
The Family Dunn Foundation

Brooks Film Student's Fundraiser

• 2006
• Student Fundraiser
• Ventura

Brooks Film Students captured the moment with a successful fundraiser. The film students held an event in Ventura, California bringing awareness to Cystic Fibrosis. The event raised $400 for the Worm Foundation to help sponsor CF families around the holidays by bringing joy and tangible gifts.

The Big Worm's Cystic Fibrosis Life Foundation thanks everyone that took the time to make this event happen. Check back for Holiday sponsored Families.

LaRocco Fundraiser

• Aug. 25th, 2006
• Fundraiser for Javier Magana
• San Diego

Javier is 8 years old and was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 2. Javier is fighting for his life while waiting for a lung transplant. They have decided it�fs best for Javier to be home schooled while he waits for his transplant. The money raised at the fundraiser will go to purchase Javier a computer, IPOD, and printer to allow him to do his school work at home and listen to his IPOD while attending his many doctor visits.

Due to everyone�fs generous donations at the LaRocco fundraiser, you helped raise a total of $2,900 dollars. Worm and Javier thank everyone for their time and concerns for CF.

"Please enjoy your moments, because in the end, it�fs all we really have."

Camarata's Gala

• Aug. 19th, 2006
• Casino Night Theme Gala Event
• Chula Vista

On August 19th Worm's relatives Terry and Dave held a casino night gala at their residence in Chula Vista. With over 200 friends attending the gala and making generous donations to the foundation, we raised 4,000 dollars. Towards the end of the night after the gaming Worm's relatives (Camarata) announced to make a donation to match the exact amount raised during the night of the gala. Due to everyones generosity the total of donations at the Camarata's Gala raised 8,000 dollars.

Your donations will be going to several patients with Cystic Fibrosis. The foundation is in contact with a Social Worker at Children's Hospital in San Diego and Los Angeles to refer patients to make a wish.

Nadav Wilf Hosted Fundraiser

• July 14, 2006
• Wolf Fundraiser for Cesar Yoquigua
• Phillips House

Thank you to Nadav Wilf for hosting a successful fundraiser at the Phillips house on 7-14-06. Due to everyone’s concerns and generous donations for Cystic Fibrosis we were able to raise $1,400! Again, thank you to Surfside Cuisine for catering the fundraiser with an excellent spread and a big thanks to all those who donated their time in making this event happen.

The funds raised at Nadav’s fundraiser will be going to a CF patient named Cesar Yoquigua, who is being followed by Dr. Mark Pian at Children’s Hospital San Diego. Cesar is a 14-year-old boy who lives in Tijuana Mexico. Cesar is wishing for a music player IPOD to help pass the time of his regular regiment of breathing treatments and hospitalizations. The gift will be presented on Oct.3rd 2006 at his next follow up appointment.

Cesar says thank you very much!

3 rd Cards for Cure Poker Tournament

• May 26, 2006
• No Limit Texas Hold’em Tournament
• 4184 Cole Way, San Diego, CA

The tournament was once again a success. 80 people showed up to the event, which made for great times and an exciting tournament. Thanks to surfside cuisine for providing the catering and to my friends who worked as the dealers for the tournament. Out of the 16 players the top three finishers were 1 st – Greg Bergen, 2 nd – Matuse Larsen and 3 rd – Don Ray. All winners were given gift certificates to various stores. We were able to raise a total amount of $2,800 making this the most successful poker fundraiser yet. Thanks for all the support.

The money from the tournament was supposed to go to Danny Whaley. Unfortunately Danny Whaley passed away in May of 2006. He will be sorely missed and we give all our condolences to the Whaley family. May he rest in peace. 1987-2006

In the name of Danny Whaley, Brandy Fiske was chosen to be the recipient of the event fundraiser. Brandy is an 18 yrs old San Diegan who is currently battling Cystic Fibrosis. Brandy requested a new Macbook laptop and Ipod. She received the gifts on June 27th, 2006. Presenting the gifts to Brandy were Joey Joyce and Joe Gomez. Brandy says thank you to everyone that had a part in making this happen.

2 nd Cards for Cure Poker Tournament

• Feb 17, 2006
• No Limit Texas Hold’em Tournament
• 4184 Cole Way, San Diego, CA

The tournament was a huge success. 60 people showed up to the event, which made for great times and an exciting tournament. Thanks to surfside cuisine for providing the catering and to my friends who worked as the dealers for the tournament. Out of the 16 players the top three finishers were Jon Mellos and Larry Dommel splitting the first and second place prize. Cara Montisano took a respectable third place in the event. All winners were given gift certificates to various stores. We were able to raise a total amount of $1,400. Thanks for all the support.

The money from the tournament went to Gabrielle Moro who is currently battling Cystic Fibrosis. Gabriella was referred to the foundation by a social worker that works at Children’s Hospital San Diego. When asked what she might do with the money being raised for her at the poker tournament? Her first response was, “I would go on a shopping spree at my favorite clothing stores!” She also wanted me to thank everyone for his or her thoughts and donations. Gabriella got a chance to go on that shopping spree which brought a huge smile to her face.