From City of Hope’s first days, support from chapters helped make possible the lifesaving treatment and influential research contributions that are City of Hope hallmarks.

Today, chapter members continue to play a vital role. By raising awareness and funds for City of Hope, these devoted philanthropists have tremendous impact on the lives of patients — those at City of Hope who benefit from excellent, compassionate care, and those around the world who benefit from the medical advances that result from City of Hope research.

Although City of Hope has made much progress, we keep striving to make an even bigger impact on the world of medicine and the lives of millions. That is part of what drives the Power of Hope campaign. Along with all of you, we are looking forward to seeing City of Hope, in its second century, make historic gains against life-threatening diseases.

Together, we get one step closer — every day.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Kane
Executive Vice President,
Development and External Affairs

Yoga enthusiasts in Seattle and San Francisco gathered to transform their health and increase awareness of yoga’s benefits for patients with life-threatening illnesses — and raise funds for City of Hope at the same time. More than 300 people attended Yoga for Hope on July 10 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. The event raised more than $31,000 for research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope.

San Francisco’s first-ever Yoga for Hope took place Aug. 7 in Union Square. More than 200 yoga participants raised nearly $25,000 for City of Hope. Local instructors Stephanie Snyder and Darren Main and disc jockey Eric Monkhouse generously donated their time and energy to ensure a successful event.

For the third year, Marlene and Morrie Piha sponsored Family Bowling Day honoring Vicki Piha Ashberg, their daughter who died of kidney cancer in 2008.

More than 200 people attended the June 6 event at TechCity Bowl in Kirkland, Wash. They raised $52,000 to support kidney cancer research at City of Hope, bringing the family’s fundraising efforts to nearly $618,000 over two years.

Edith Susselman believes in putting her money where her mouth is, and City of Hope happens to be one of her favorite topics of conversation. Since joining her local City of Hope chapter in Florida 17 years ago, she has raised $500,000 for cancer research.

Susselman first heard about City of Hope in 1980, when she lived in California, from a close friend in Florida who joined the Wynmoor Chapter, now named the Bernice Chernove Chapter. When Susselman moved to Florida 13 years later, she joined her friend at the local chapter. Today, Susselman is more enthusiastic than ever about fundraising for research at City of Hope. She and her fellow chapter members take every opportunity to recruit energetic volunteers. “We laugh because as soon as we meet new people, we start out with ‘Do you belong to City of Hope? And if you don’t, why don’t you?’” Susselman said.

With many well-known local nonprofits in her community, people often wonder why she is so passionate about an institution more than 3,000 miles away. But Susselman stands firm: Her personal experience as a survivor of breast and colon cancer motivates her to help others who may be at risk for cancer.

“People say, ‘We do have hospitals here that are cancer-oriented.’ And our answer is, ‘The medicine that is now used for cancer, in several cases, has come out of City of Hope. They disseminate their information throughout the world,’” Susselman explained.

City of Hope’s Florida regional office recently recognized Susselman for her longtime support, dedication and spirit, and, at 94 years old, she plans to keep going. She attributes her zest for life to her passion for fundraising.

“It gives you a great feeling of satisfaction when you hear the various things that we can accomplish together,” she said. “It’s what keeps me going.”

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — The long-running 30th annual Children of Hope luncheon took place Feb. 12 at Embassy Suites of Fort Lauderdale. Bolstered by 300 attendees, City of Hope’s Southeast Region in Florida raised more than $8,000 for pediatric care, education and research. Chapter presidents selected 11 extraordinary chapter members to receive the Bess Plasky Award, which recognizes special, active volunteers who are dedicated to City of Hope’s ideals and mission. These honored supporters were Michele Herzmark, Arline Stein, Lynne Macklis, Betty Smith, Janet Kobritz, Ruth Kessler, Florence Feinstein, Elaine Sokoloss, Betty Hattem, Lou Santoro and Cathy Moran.

Boca Raton, Fla. — Singers, actors and comedians entertained more than 1,400 attendees from the Palm Beach County area at the popular 15th annual Show of Shows. Hosted by the Phyllis Dropkin Chapter of the Southeast Region, the March 15 event at the Carole & Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium on the Florida Atlantic University campus in Boca Raton raised $20,000 for cancer research education and treatment. The event has raised more than $500,000 for City of Hope since it began in 1995.

Ocean Hills, Calif. — More than 20 members from the Ocean Hills Chapter for City of Hope participated in Walk for Hope Nationally Presented by Staples in San Diego on May 22. The Ocean Hills for Hope team, led by cancer survivor Rona Cole, raised more than $4,000 for research, treatment and education to fight women’s cancers.

Rancho Bernardo, Calif. — After 29 years as a volunteer group for City of Hope, Rancho Bernardo Chapter members know how to host a fundraiser. In April, while guests enjoyed lunch at Stoneridge Country Club, chapter members walked the runway, modeling the latest men’s and women’s fashions from Macy’s. The event raised nearly $2,000 for cancer research, education and treatment.

San Diego, Calif. — Established in 1921, the San Diego Gussie K. Singer Chapter is the oldest surviving chapter of City of Hope. Leadership of the chapter recently transitioned to a committed group of women who are determined to keep their parents’ and grandparents’ legacy alive by continuing the work they started 89 years ago. The new group toured City of Hope’s campus in August and learned firsthand why U.S.News & World Report identified City of Hope as one of “Americas Best Hospitals” for cancer and urology.

Chino, Calif. — When Tim Fleckenstein was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2008, he decided that after treatment he wanted to do something to help fight the disease.

“I always wanted to support cancer research and treatment but I don’t play golf,” Fleckenstein joked, referring to charity golf tournaments. “However, I do know how to build a demolition derby car.”

So in July, Fleckenstein and his friend and derby car partner Ted Cordts auctioned a 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood in the 20th annual Chino Challenge Demolition Derby at the Chino Fairgrounds. Thanks to family, friends and local businesses, they raised more than $17,000 to support City of Hope’s cancer quest.

“For me it was an easy way to help City of Hope,” Fleckenstein said, “and do what I love to do!”

Hundreds of costumed partygoers crowded the dance floor at Tenjune nightclub in Manhattan to celebrate Halloween in style at “Night of Mischief” on Oct. 30. Ticket sales from the second annual event, hosted by Future of Hope, raised more than $30,000 for the women’s cancers and pediatric programs at City of Hope. The fundraising event was the third of what may be many to come for Future of Hope, a group comprising up-and-coming New York City young professionals. Jocelyn Levy, a second-generation City of Hope supporter, founded the group in 2007.

“I became passionate about the City of Hope cause after seeing the dedication and support that my mother has provided to the East End Chapter,” said Levy. Levy, who also started Teens for Hope in 1998, was inspired to start Future of Hope after realizing City of Hope had no chapter for her age range.

“I thought it was important to build the Future of Hope Chapter as a way to get young people involved in such an important organization with the hope that we can expand the awareness of what City of Hope is,” she said.

Many of the members of Future of Hope are second- and third-generation City of Hope supporters who see themselves as the generation that will champion City of Hope into its next century. The group targets other young professionals, hosting fundraising events at some of New York’s hottest nightclubs. Within six months of its creation, the group had raised $70,000 for research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope.

Said Levy: “My goal for the chapter is to not only fundraise for City of Hope but to educate others on why it’s such an important organization.”