By Fran Rizzi

Hundreds of volunteers from across the country will soon head to Southern California for the 2007 City of Hope National Convention.

More than 500 members of City of Hope chapters will unite for a weekend of learning and inspiration. This year’s convention, themed “Building a Future of Hope,” will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel from June 23 to 25 and will feature medical and research talks, as well as sessions with City of Hope leaders.

Michael A. Friedman, M.D., president and chief executive officer of City of Hope, and Philip L. Engel, outgoing chair of the board of directors, will kick off the convention with presentations on June 23. The next day, conventioneers will interact with scientists, physicians and grateful patients in a “Day of Discovery.” The event will close on Monday with Hope Forum, a series of educational sessions about fundraising, as well as the traditional Roll Call — in which chapter members announce donations given to City of Hope — and a dinner. Terry Peets, newly elected board chair, also will address conventioneers.

A variety of activities will celebrate the legacy of philanthropy integral to City of Hope’s auxiliary movement.