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Our Purpose

The BrendaBear Foundation is a nonprofit movement that exists to confront and dismantle racial disparities in chronic pain treatment. Through advocacy, education, art, and community-based healing, we champion equity in healthcare and amplify the voices of those who live with chronic pain—especially those whose pain is overlooked because of race, age, or disability.

 

What We Do

Our programs are as powerful as they are personal:

• The BrendaBear Coloring Book Initiative – A culturally relevant, therapeutic tool for hospitalized children and seniors navigating illness, designed to center joy, healing, and representation.

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• Annual Pain Awareness Walk – A community event that gives visibility to the invisible struggles of those living with chronic pain, especially in Black and brown communities.

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• Brenda’s Art of Giving Award Gala – A celebration of healthcare workers, educators, and activists who are transforming systems with compassion and equity.

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• Scholarship Fund for Youth in Sports & Health Adversity – Honoring Brenda’s love for children and resilience, this fund supports Black youth navigating medical challenges or family caregiving responsibilities.

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​A Global Vision

While rooted in Brenda’s memory, our mission stretches far beyond one story. The BrendaBear Foundation seeks to be a national and global force for justice in healthcare—empowering families, educating providers, and influencing policy to ensure equity becomes the standard, not the exception.
This is more than a foundation. It is a movement. A call to action. A legacy of love turned into purpose.
We believe Black pain. We demand compassionate care. We fight so others don’t suffer in silence.