LOS ANGELES, October 30, 2008 — Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies will face off in friendly competition once again during the 16th annual Fight for Life, a one-of-a-kind boxing event to support lifesaving cancer research and treatment programs at City of Hope. Fight for Life will take place at Quiet Cannon, 109 South Via San Clemente in Montebello, Calif., on Nov. 7.
“City of Hope is proud to be recognized by the local heroes of the city’s law enforcement organizations, who not only protect and serve on a daily basis, but give back to their community in other ways,” said Roz Phillips, senior auxiliaries development officer at City of Hope. “Our relationships are an example of how communities can work together and support each other to find a cure for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”
City of Hope and LAPD showcase ways in which communities work together to find a cure. LAPD Officer Diane Alonzo was diagnosed with leukemia in 1996 and was treated at City of Hope for a bone marrow transplant. Her brother, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, was a match. Alonzo returned to active duty in September of 1997 and now, in addition to her work with the department, volunteers on the Fight for Life event committee.
“I’m grateful for my successful medical treatment at City of Hope,” said Alonzo, a mother of four. “City of Hope medical staff, my doctor, family members, fellow brother and sister officers and friends, all of their support made my treatment at City of Hope an experience to remember for the rest of my life.”
Tickets are $25 for general admission, $50 reserve seating and $100 for VIP ringside seats. Tickets can be purchased at the Los Angeles Police Protective League at 213-251-4554, Sheriff’s Relief Foundation at 562-946-7081, or by visiting www.cityofhope.org/fight4life.
In the past, the evening has drawn celebrity guests such as Oscar De La Hoya, former “NYPD Blue” star Mark-Paul Gosselaar, boxing legend Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas, kickboxing icon Benny “The Jet” Urquidez and many others. The event raises more than $50,000 annually for City of Hope and, in its 15-year history, has generated more than $800,000.