LOS ANGELES, November 7, 2008 — On July 20, 2009, the Professional Salon Industry Council for City of Hope will present Cheryl and Jim Markham, founders of PureOlogy, with the 2009 Spirit of Life® Award, City of Hope’s most prestigious honor, in recognition of their outstanding philanthropic and business achievements. The Markhams, who have supported City of Hope’s groundbreaking of cancer research and treatment programs for more than 15 years, will receive the award at the Spirit of Life gala, which will be held in conjunction with Cosmoprof North America. More than 600 industry executives are expected to attend the dinner at the Mandalay Bay Hotel Las Vegas.
The Markhams have dedicated their lives to advancing the professional beauty industry, creating and nurturing unique and highly successful companies together. Their tremendous passion not only for innovation but for philanthropic causes, with a special emphasis on ovarian cancer, has continued to inspire the industry.
"City of Hope’s pioneering research, coupled with its compassionate patient care, has improved the lives of patients everywhere who face a life-threatening disease and inspired our industry to work together for an incredible cause,” said Jim Markham, founder and president of Jim Markham Enterprises. “We are honored to receive this award from an institution that is tirelessly working to make cancer a curable and ultimately preventable disease.”
"Cheryl and Jim Markham inspire us with their commitment to City of Hope’s mission,” said Csynthia Savage, senior director of development, City of Hope. ”We are honored to celebrate their contributions to the beauty industry and their dedication to the lifesaving research and treatment programs of City of Hope.”
For more information on the event, visit http://www.cityofhope.org/npsi/sol. To purchase tickets to the Spirit of Life gala, contact Csynthia Savage at csavage@coh.org or 213-241-7221.
The Professional Salon Industry Council for City of Hope is an association of nationally recognized beauty and salon industry executives, professionals and colleagues who collaborate to establish continuous and increasing industry support through funding on behalf of City of Hope. In its 20 year history, the Professional Salon Industry Council has annually supported City of Hope by honoring 21 individuals and two couples in the annual Spirit of Life Award gala.
About the Honorees
Jim Markham is well recognized for his talents as an innovative product developer and for building many successful companies in the professional beauty industry, including his most recent, PureOlogy, which he founded with Cheryl Markham in 2000. As a highly acclaimed businessman he has received numerous accolades, including Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in the consumer products category, and entrance into its Hall of Fame (on display in Rockefeller Center, New York), along with the Orange County Business Journal and ICMAD (Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors) Entrepreneur of the Year, and in 2007 he was the 12th inductee into the NAHA (North American Hairstyling Awards) Hall of Leaders where he was acknowledged for his outstanding and lifelong achievements within the industry. Markham’s background also includes manufacturing, distributing and, early on in the 1970s, as a hairstylist to celebrities Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Joanne Woodward and Frank Sinatra. As a stylist he was awarded high honors such as the Olympic silver medal for the World Hairstyling Championships. In an effort to mentor and inspire young entrepreneurs, Markham was invited by the dean to join Anaheim University’s CEO Leaders Mentoring Program.
Cheryl Markham has always recognized the importance of giving back to her community with true love and dedication. Upon first moving to Orange County, Markham was on the board of IIDA (International Interior Design Association) and an active interior designer. She became involved with Orangewood Children Foundation and ChildHelp USA, which inspired her to explore other philanthropic opportunities. In 2006, while at PureOlogy and with its generous assistance, the Markhams created two cause marketing programs, the National Cosmetology Association and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. They lost a close friend to ovarian cancer in 1999 and have since become champions for the cause, promoting awareness of the disease and raising funds.
Through the tremendous success of the companies that they have built, Cheryl and Jim Markham have been inspired to give back in numerous and impactful ways. In their 31 years together they have raised three kids and enjoy their three grandchildren.