Our Visionary Partners
A key accelerator of our work, philanthropy allows us to help more people
At City of Hope®, our record of breakthroughs in research and care is built on a foundation of philanthropic support going back more than 100 years. Our forward-thinking donors and volunteers share our commitment to revolutionizing cancer and diabetes care.
Members of our community came together to support lifesaving advances in 2023.
Cherng's Fund Best of East and West
A visionary gift of $100 million from Panda Express co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng, through their Panda Charitable Family Foundation, helped establish a first-of-its-kind national integrative oncology program at City of Hope. The Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology will bring together the best of Eastern and Western medicine to improve outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.
Hip Hop Industry Increases Access
City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) group celebrated 50 years of service and partnership in 2023. October’s Spirit of Life® gala honored Lyor Cohen, global head of Music at YouTube and Google, and raised more than $4.3 million. The annual campaign focused on the challenges that underserved populations face in accessing quality cancer care.
“Let’s end cancer,” said Cohen, “and on the way, let’s make your magic more accessible to people of color by investing in ways to reach them. We can close the gap.”
Foundation Boosts Academic Success
Grant support from the Honda USA Foundation is helping City of Hope’s Academic Advocacy Program boost the academic success of young patients, such as Keira Chang. Children being treated for cancer can spend weeks or months in the hospital or recovering at home, causing them to fall behind in school. City of Hope helped Keira and her parents work with her school district for a tailored school plan during Keira’s recovery. The foundation has already enabled in-depth interventions for 60 students.
Desert Trek Raises Research Dollars
More than 200 people contributed to Phil Burden’s 120-mile fundraising trek from California to Las Vegas to raise $52,146 for Our Visionary Partners research at City of Hope. Burden walked to honor a friend who died of the same disease Burden is now battling: mantle cell lymphoma. With the guidance of Tycel Phillips, M.D., a hematologist-oncologist at City of Hope, he is exploring clinical trials to join. The commitment of his friends and family made walking easier: “I was so pumped up by the support I got that I walked 13.5 miles the first morning. I was walking on air.”
Philanthropy Helps First-in-Human Clinical Trial
A CAR T cell therapy targeting ovarian cancer has moved to a Phase 1 first-in-human trial thanks to philanthropic partners in the insurance industry. There are very few treatment options for patients with recurring ovarian cancer and other solid tumors, but researchers are trying to change that. Philanthropic investment in the early stages of research accelerates progress. As noted by Saul Priceman, Ph.D.: “This study would not have happened without critical early support from the Markel Friedman Accelerator Fund and partners in the National Insurance Industry Council.”
Explore more of the 2023 Annual Report
As we grow, the nation is taking note. We are getting recognized and honored for our unique approach to cancer care, and we are attracting world-class professionals eager to come work with us.
In 2023 we welcomed five distinguished leaders in cancer research, translational science, diabetes research, and healthcare administration.
City of Hope was featured prominently in print, television and other media outlets throughout 2023, including pieces in the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post and on The Today Show and Nightline.
Top Stories of 2023
City of Hope receives a transformative $100 million gift from the Panda Charitable Family Foundation to create a first-of-its-kind national integrative oncology program that will bring together Eastern and Western treatment methods.
In recognition of the Briskin family’s generous contribution, City of Hope names its new five-story hotel the Judy & Bernard Briskin Hope Village.
The annual fundraising event, hosted by Billy Porter and recognizing brothers Monte and Avery Lipman, raised nearly $4 million for City of Hope. Jack Johnson and the Jonas Brothers performed.