Cancer must be prevented; cancer must be cured, these are big dreams, but only by dreaming on the largest scale can we make something extraordinary happen. Barry Burdorf has always dreamed on a grand scale. He understands that, while there is no guaranty that all dreams can come true, we must strive for the highest level to accomplish the most we can; this is especially true with cancer research.

In this day and age, no one is immune from the scourge of cancer. Both of Barry’Äôs grandmothers suffered from this disease, as have many people he has known throughout his life. Achieving the ultimate success in our battle against cancer, Barry and his family have gravitated toward this amazing organization for years. His parents are major supporters of ICRF and feel that the work of ICRF is an inspiration to all who know anything about it.

Barry was born at the old Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Hollywood, California. He is the second son of Arthur and Jacqueline Burdorf. Barry grew up in Encino, graduating from Birmingham High School where he was a junior and senior varsity letterman in track and field and was also on the cross-country team. He and his family are active members of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino. While growing up, Barry devoted a good part of his time to the Boy Scouts of America ultimately being honored as an Eagle Scout. Barry has attended many national and world jamborees where he has met scouts from all over the world. He has also earned the Shofar Award for Jewish Scouting. Barry attended the University of Arizona, and went on to receive his Bachelors of Science Degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Oregon in Eugene. Later on, Barry went to Loyola Marymount University for graduate school. He worked at his brother’Äôs helicopter blade manufacturing plant and is now working with his father in real estate.

The family moved to Beverly Hills in the early 1980’Äôs where his two sisters graduated from Beverly Hills High School. Debra attended and graduated from University of Arizona with a B.A. Degree in Psychology. Suzanne also attended the University of Arizona and majored in Sociology. His brother, Gary, graduated from UCLA with a Ph.D. in manufacturing engineering and started Helicopter Technology, a company that manufactures helicopter blades for the special forces of the U.S. Military as well as blades for fire and police helicopters, etc. He is married to Sherry, and they have four children: Rachel, Mitchell, Carly and Henry. Gary was also an Eagle Scout.

Barry is passionate about the outdoors. He lives on the beach in Santa Monica and can often be seen riding his bike up and down the boardwalk, he loves sailing, the beach, and downhill skiing. He has skied in Canada, all over Europe and throughout the United States. He has been involved in almost any participatory activity that is outside. Barry loves traveling having been fortunate enough to visit many parts of the United States and the world. As so many before him, Barry was particularly touched by his visit to Israel, learning first hand of the amazing abilities of the Jewish people, especially in the field of medical research. He has been a mentor for Jewish Big Brothers and worked with adults and children with disabilities. Barry is a member of the California Yacht Club, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Gene Autry Museum, ICRF, RJC, AIPAC, ZOA, the United States Navy Institute and was awarded the Eisenhower Commission Award signed by President George W. Bush.

Barry’Äôs parents have been his inspiration. They have devoted much of their lives to charitable causes thus instilling in Barry the value of being an active member of the charitable community. Barry’Äôs father, Arthur, has been in the real estate business his entire life, together with serving as the President of the Great Western Council Boy Scouts of America, and as a commissioner on the City of Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Commission. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award. Barry’Äôs mother, Jacqueline (or Jackie to everyone that knows her), has to be one of the most active people in the charitable community, giving generously of her time and resources for many decades. His parents are major supporters of the Jewish Community, ICRF, LACMA, The Jewish Federation as well as the Blue Ribbon Music Center. They are also major collectors of Plein Aire Art (impressionism) and have been widely recognized in art circles having exhibited in prominent museums. Jackie belongs to a pioneering Los Angeles family. Her grandmother, Dora was a philanthropist of early Los Angeles and one of the first charter members of Sinai Hospital, which later joined with Cedars of Lebanon. Arthur was born in New York City, and Jackie was born in Los Angeles. Her parents came from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father was a pharmacist and her mother majored in sociology. Arthur graduated from USC in Real Estate Finance. Jackie graduated from UCLA with a B.A. degree in Art History. Jackie has been honored with the Golda Meir Award by Israel Bonds and supports Hadassah.

Barry is an achiever. He is a genuine, caring, and spirited individual who wants to help other people. Barry says ’Äúfor me, this is a great honor to achieve this outstanding award for supporting cancer research. I feel we are very close to a cure soon.’Äù