Saturday May 9th, 2026
Hilton Phoenix Resort
at the Peak
7677 N 16th St Phoenix, AZ 85020
Doors Open at 10am
Raffle starts at 2pm
It’s Good to Be Loved (and We Truly Are!) 
Our Annual Basket Raffle has grown in the most wonderful way — and because of that, we’re making a small change this year.
Due to venue space and our desire to welcome new Brain Buddies into the experience, we’re limiting donations to one basket per story* for this year’s raffle.
We’re also asking donors to reserve their basket by letting us know in advance if they plan to donate. This helps us plan, stay organized, and make sure every story has its moment to shine.
Thank you for understanding, for your generosity, and for helping us continue to grow with intention and heart. We’re so grateful to be loved by such an incredible community.
A quick note for our business and community partners:
Companies and organizations without a specific story are still welcome to donate a basket. Thank you for being part of the fun!
Donate a Basket & Share your Story
1: Pick a Basket Theme
Share your Story: Pick a theme reflecting a Brain Buddie’s story, hobbies, or favorite things.
Grandma loved baking → fill your basket with baking goodies
Movie Lover → create a basket for the perfect movie night
Foodie Friend → donate a collection of gift cards to favorite local restaurants
Need ideas? Check past Basket Themes for inspiration.
2: Fill Your Basket
Use a basket, box, tote bag, travel cooler, or other container. Go ahead and get creative (but nothing too big please)! Fill with new items that match your theme and tell your story.
3: Fill out a Basket Sheet
Fill out a Basket Info Sheet PDF. List all items in your basket, including gift card amounts and expiration dates. Photos and stories help connect the basket to the cause!
One sheet per basket, attached to the outside of your basket. We cannot accept baskets without a sheet —we must account for all items.
4: Wrap your Basket
Use clear cellophane, gift basket bags, or shrink wrap. Make sure items are visible and secure to prevent spills. Be sure to attach your Basket Sheet to the outside of your basket.
Baskets are handled multiple times before the event—make sure everything stays safe.
5: Drop Off your Basket
All basket donations are due by
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Schedule an Early Drop Off
Basket Collection Starts NOW!
Contact Lanette directly to schedule an early drop off or pick up.
lanette@graymattersfoundation.org | 623-205-6446
Official Basket Drop Off Day
Saturday, April 18, 2026
The final collection day and last chance to drop off your basket!
Scott's Generations Deli
742 E. Glendale Ave. #142
Phoenix, AZ 85020
All basket donations MUST have a basket sheet attached. We cannot accept baskets without a sheet —we must account for all items.
Other Ways to Help
Donate non-basket items that can be raffled or added to baskets
Volunteer on the day of the event or assist with setup
Reach out to Lanette for more ideas and opportunities to help!
Share YOUR Story
Tell Us Your Story
Your basket is a chance to share a piece of someone’s life.
Don’t overthink it — a basket doesn’t need to tell everything. Choosing one theme is enough to give others a glimpse into who your special person is and what makes them them.
Think about:
- A favorite hobby or activity (cooking, gardening, hiking, crafting)
- A favorite thing (donuts, coffee, books, movies, sports)
- A tradition or memory you shared together
A Few Simple Examples:
Love to cook? Create a cooking basket.
Grandma was known for her donuts? Fill a basket with donut themed items and treats.
Taco nights, game nights, movie nights — all make wonderful themes.
No two baskets are the same, because no two stories are the same.
More Than a Diagnosis
Most important: make your basket personal to the person it represents.
Brain cancer may be part of the story — but it is not the whole story. You or your loved one had hobbies, joys, passions, hopes, and a full life before a brain tumor entered the picture.
This is your chance to share the before.
To share the heart.
To remind everyone that each Brain Buddie is more than a diagnosis.
Need Inspiration?
We’ve included examples from past basket stories to help spark ideas. After 19 years, we’ve seen it all — and we’re always amazed by the creativity and love behind each basket.
If you’re unsure or new to the event, don’t worry. We have a photo album of past baskets, and our team is always happy to help.
Sharing Stories Through Baskets
About the Basket Raffle
Our Basket Raffle is the heart of our event.
Each basket represents a brain cancer patient — a Brain Buddie — and tells their story in a simple, meaningful way. These baskets aren’t just collections of items; they represent people. A personality. A passion. A life beyond a diagnosis. Every basket reflects something special — a favorite hobby, a cherished memory, or a simple joy — helping others see who someone is beyond brain tumors and cancer. Each basket includes a short story and a photo and is raffled off during the event.
Every basket matters.
Every basket tells a story.
Every basket is filled with love.
Why We Ask for Stories and Photos
The stories and photos are shared with researchers.
They show why a cure is needed.
They give our community a voice.
They remind researchers that the work they do is about real people and real families.
For our families, these stories say: our loved ones matter. Their names, faces, and lives are not forgotten.
The basket may be fun to win — but the story is what stays with you. When you take home a basket with a story, you take home the memory of someone whose life was touched by something terrible.
That is why this raffle matters.
Basket Raffle Rules
- Only Arizona residents are eligible to praticipate in the raffle.
- Basket Raffle ticket purchases are not a tax deductible donation.
- Participants must be over 21 to buy tickets for any baskets containing alcohol.
- Winners will be pulled on the day of the event. You do not have to be present in order to win. Winners who are not present will be contacted after the event with pick up details.
- All baskets must be collected by Saturday May 23, 2026 or any winnings will be forfeit. We are unable to ship baskets.
*Health & Safety Guidelines: In-person event preparations are subject to change as necessary per CDC safe guidelines for gatherings and events as we do our best to keep all of our Brain Buddies safe. We will do our best to communicate any changes through Gray Matters Foundation website (this page), social accounts, email and other communication channels.