BRIAN J. MENDIBURU
Founder/President

“My mom is Nancy Ann Mendiburu.  Her humble ways, her humility, her integrity, and her amazing thoughtfulness will shine from within this non-profit organization.  We will strive to help others in her name and we will continue to fight for a cure for cancer. Put simply, people tend to support The Mendiburu Magic Foundation because we ask for that support and we value community input.  That is what can make this organization different, we will make the direct ask and we will identify worthy community projects that can help citizens of Kern County.

Mendiburu Magic has strived to reach out to those within our mission and vision; and we will provide a mechanism for each donor to give at a level that is comfortable to them.  In addition, Mendiburu Magic will continue to be inclusive and seek necessary community input before all major decisions and we pay close attention to detail, accountability, and transparency with all aspects of funding and programming/operational issues.  This is guaranteed.

I think that makes sense and it is only fair to the people involved with our donor base and client base.  The organization is thoughtful and thorough when it comes to assistance…the goals and priorities that we set are close to anyone’s heart.  I hope that you will support our mission and vision.

I once heard a wonderful quote that said it is easy to make a buck, but a lot tougher to make a difference.  The Mendiburu Magic Foundation is something that is obviously so important to my family. The loss of my mom has caused the most severe pain that I have ever felt personally. Her passing has inspired this family to persevere and help others in her name. In addition to our ongoing assistance with pending community matters; we affirm the importance of scientific research and investigations of new approaches to cancer detection, treatment, and prevention.

I can either cry each passing day or use my energy to fight this disease and help people in her community. Besides that with my wife Valerie, my mom is truly the most important relationship that I have ever had with a single person and this connection we shared will touch lives for years to come.

Please understand that we have established this foundation to help people in need and impact lives. It is true, we might stumble at times, but the only way someone does not stumble is if they choose to stand still...we have done the opposite of that and will continue to work hard and always move forward, advancing great projects.  There is no sort of rocket science involved. If we can help, we’ll make that happen without any strings attached. Because of family contribution and the kindness of our donors, this foundation will be able to make a global difference one day. People who need help have a new direction to turn now, when all else seems to be hopeless; so many of us depended on my mom for this kind of amazing empowerment when she was around.

As did my mom, I wear a rubber band on my wrist every waking moment. Since her horrific diagnosis in 1994, we have both done this and she was even buried with one on the same wrist. For me, this symbol represents her courage, hope, and willingness to stay optimistic and fight. The rubber band is resistant to so much that it is appropriate to measure vitality and endurance. I think of her everyday and will do whatever I can on earth in order to ensure the fact that I see her again some day. Her endless compassion and empathy for other people always amazed me. I can only aspire to be half the person my mom is.  As the Japanese poet, Kenji Miyazawa says...we must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. ”

WRITTEN October 1, 2000 and PUBLISHED BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Brian J. Mendiburu, President

"It is easy to make a buck.  It is a lot tougher to make a difference." 

Tom Brokaw, NBC News

(L-R) Brian hanging out with his wife, Valerie "Socks" Mendiburu.  The loving couple was married on May 8, 2004 and reside in Bakersfield, California.  Both are executive officers for the foundation.