Michael A. Friedman, M.D. President and CEO

In our last issue, we told you about some of the changes we have made in how we communicate with friends like you.  Changing the name of this newsletter is part of that change, too.

Why HopeCONNECTION?

Because all of us here want you to understand how important you are. Wewant you to read the stories of lives you have helped save ... of research breakthroughs you helped make happen ... of exciting new technologies and
techniques you are helping develop.

This newsletter is your connection to all the good you are doing in people’s lives through your partnership with City of Hope.

Perhaps you read some more good news recently: The American Cancer Society reported that cancer deaths in 2004 dropped by more than 3,000 compared to 2003.
That is the second year in a row in which cancer mortality has declined.  Encouraging as this is, it is not good enough. None of use here are satisfied with the speed of this progress. We want to hasten cures for more people.

Many factors contributed to the decline: improved screening, lifestyle changes that include more Americans quitting smoking, improved chemotherapy drugs, better education and prevention programs, and more.

Through your support of City of Hope, you helped make this good news possible,
too. We are one of the leading cancer research and treatment centers.
Lives are being saved every day because of treatments and techniques pioneered
here.

Our hope as you read these pages is that you will feel a connection to the
hope you are bringing to cancer patients and their loved ones ... and that you
will understand how much we value your support. Thank you so much.