Each year, City of Hope’s Women’s Council of San Diego County chooses an Ambassador of Hope, an outstanding leader within the San Diego community who has a philanthropic spirit and who has inspired and set an example for others in the fight against cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.

Its 2011 Ambassador of Hope, Susan Mollenkopf, was honored during the ninth annual Taste of Hope, a food and wine tasting event and silent auction, in September 2011 at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel. Mollenkopf is a breast cancer survivor.

“The knowledge, dedication and compassion that City of Hope demonstrates gives me hope that we are on the road to a cure,” said Mollenkopf. “What a promising name — City of Hope.”

Through the support of local community and corporate sponsors, San Diego’s Taste of Hope raised more than $60,000.

To read more about Mollenkopf’s story, visit www.cityofhope.org/sandiego and click on the “Women’s Council of San Diego” link. — Ellie Levine

The Northern California Food Industries Circle had its own Taste of Hope event for the 14th year running. About 500 guests sampled champagne, wine, beer and coffee along with local restaurant fare at 19 tasting stations at the Palm Event Center in Pleasanton, Calif., in February.

Retail trade members from companies such as Costco, Safeway and Unified Grocers volunteered as station hosts and vied for tips that went toward the overall fundraising total. Along with the tastings, guests bid on rare wines and Wine Country vacations during a silent auction.

The event raised $114,500 for research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope. Since its inception in 1978, the group has raised more than $31 million. — Mindy Finkelstein

The Big Apple turned into the Big Grape during one of the largest radio and record industry gatherings in March.

The sixth annual Taste of Hope at Three Sixty in New York City feted nearly 500 Music and Entertainment Industry executives, who enjoyed fine food and wine and the chance to bid on auction items such as exclusive champagnes and an in-home catered meal by a renowned chef.

The event raised nearly $400,000, with additional funds still being raised through the online auction, which ends in August. Since the event’s inception, almost $2 million has been donated to City of Hope’s fight against cancer. — Carol A. Chaplin

Along with fine food and wine, auction items were available for guests at the Taste of Hope in New York City.

Two women launched a Facebook movement to push toymaker Mattel to create a bald Barbie to emotionally comfort children who lost their hair from cancer treatment. But it was MGA Entertainment, maker of Bratz and Moxie Girlz dolls, that responded. Its new bald doll line, True Hope dolls, supports City of Hope’s cancer research, treatment and education.

The new dolls feature six versions — pictured are the three True Hope Bratz dolls — and are available at Toys “R” Us stores and toysrus.com. MGA Entertainment will donate $1 to City of Hope for every doll sold to distributors.

“We have a responsibility to children and we take that responsibility very seriously,” said Isaac Larian, chief executive officer at MGA Entertainment. “True Hope dolls are designed to support and comfort young girls and boys who so bravely endure cancer treatments. MGA also wants to be an active supporter in the fight to develop lifesaving treatments for children.” — Sarah Winfrey

Justin Bieber picked City of Hope as one of the U.S. charities that is benefiting from his Believe Charity Drive, which raises millions of dollars for worthy causes.

The pop music artist launched the drive in conjunction with the November 2011 release of his holiday album “Under the Mistletoe.” He is donating a portion of the proceeds from his album to charity, and he is calling on fans to give generously to the charities in his drive.

“The Believe Charity Drive directly benefits charities that are making a difference in the world,” Bieber said.

Selected charities emphasize education, youth well-being and music. In addition to City of Hope, the drive includes Pencils of Promise, Project Medishare for Haiti, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Musicians On Call and the GRAMMY Foundation. Contributions also will be made to other local charities abroad.

To make a donation visit www.justinbiebermusic.com/believecharity and select City of Hope.

Bieber already has teamed up with City of Hope to raise awareness and funds for research through the sale of collectible “Hope, Love and Rock & Roll” T-shirts. At least 50 percent of the retail price of the shirts, which are available at cityofhopeshop.com, benefit City of Hope. — Alicia Di Rado

A gift that benefits others turned out to be the best birthday present Morris Glesby could have received.

On his 90th birthday in May 2011, Glesby enjoyed a special gift when City of Hope let him know that his family had given generously in his honor. Their gift added to an endowment he created to fund research.

“I felt surprised and elated,” said Glesby, a Houston resident. “It was the perfect gift, adding support for City of Hope.”

The donation of $50,000 from his wife and family increased the value of the Glesby Fund for Medical Research to more than $450,000. The fund, begun in 2003, provides resources in perpetuity for the most promising research projects. In recognition, a laboratory in City of Hope’s Familian Building now bears the Glesby Fund’s name.

His wife, Veda, came up with the idea for the birthday tribute. Their children, Susan, Nancy and Gary, and their grandchildren, Lauren and Tracy, joined her in donating.

“I couldn’t think of anything he’d value more, and it was a gift I enjoyed giving,” she said.

The Glesbys support many organizations, but giving to City of Hope has been a family tradition. It began in 1924 with his parents, Sarah and Edward Glesby, who had recently moved from Canada to California to begin a new life.

Morris Glesby sees the fund as one way to ensure that the tradition continues.

“One of the greatest pleasures of an endowment fund is that it lives forever and will continue to fund essential medical research,” he said. “It is a privilege to be on the City of Hope team.” — Wayne Lewis