For more than 50 years, the Construction Industries Alliance (CIA) has helped build a firm foundation for improvements in cancer care. This year, during the CIA Spirit of Life® Gala, City of Hope — a leading cancer research and treatment institution — celebrated that commitment and honored Dan Hedigan, president and CEO for community development company FivePoint, with The Spirit of Life Award.
Hedigan is a land developer committed to building healthy communities. For him, creating access to City of Hope’s leading-edge medical care is a critical component to reaching that goal. To further that commitment, he spearheaded the 2026 CIA Spirit of Life fundraising campaign.
“Creating a healthy and thriving community goes beyond land planning and physical structures. It’s about strengthening communities, creating life-enriching opportunities and connecting people in meaningful ways,” he says. “We’re all connected. Any success that City of Hope can provide to the community is a success for all of us.”
A Legacy of Industry Collaboration
Since 1974, the CIA has supported City of Hope’s work to develop innovative, life-extending cancer treatments. Through company-hosted golf outings and events, employee giving drives and personal gift clubs, the CIA has consistently expanded its support for the cancer center.
“That first year, in 1974, The Spirit of Life Award dinner raised $150,000. Today, standing together in this room, we’re part of a legacy that has contributed over $78 million to fighting cancer and diabetes,” says John Lavender, division president of homebuilder Lennar Corporation and co-chair of the CIA board of directors, during the gala. “That’s not just a number. It’s thousands of lives touched, countless breakthroughs funded and endless hope provided.”
An Investment in the Future
Recently, the CIA has been committed to the establishment of an endowed chair to support the physician-in-chief at City of Hope Orange County. This is the first endowed administrative chair at City of Hope funded by a collective industry group. Edward Kim, M.D., M.B.A., will be the inaugural holder of the chair. The CIA investment will allow critical research to progress under the direction of Dr. Kim, help him recruit world-class scientists and physicians, and provide funding in perpetuity through the endowment.
Hedigan’s campaign notably raised the most money towards the fulfillment of the chair. The overall campaign generated nearly $2 million. The Spirit of Life Gala raised $1.4 million towards that total number.
“It’s truly remarkable to see leaders across the construction, real estate and homebuilding industries come together with one shared purpose: advancing City of Hope’s mission and improving the lives of patients and families,” says Dr. Kim. “Their collective leadership and generosity continue to move this effort forward, strengthening the future of cancer care in the OC region.”
Such efforts are vital. Currently, cancer rates are rising among people under 50, and 20% of Orange County residents leave to seek cancer care elsewhere. City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center and an adjoining 73-bed specialty hospital dedicated to cancer care opened in 2025 to better meet the region’s cancer needs. The Physician-in-Chief Chair represents another step forward for cancer treatment in the Orange County area.
Funding this role is a transformational investment in the trailblazing research leadership needed to enhance the future of cancer care. The endowment will support critical investigations and serve as a beacon to attract other world-class physicians and scientists to City of Hope’s mission of identifying more effective, life-extending therapies.
The impact of this endowed position highlights the value of industry engagement. These partnerships are the cornerstone of giving campaigns. They’re also opportunities for organizations to contribute to healthier communities by enhancing research and expanding access to compassionate care and innovative treatments, Hedigan says.
“Supporting the fight against cancer is one of the most meaningful commitments a business leader can make. When we partner with City of Hope, we’re investing not only in lifesaving research but in the health and future of our communities,” he says. “The goal is to motivate the industry to step up, set a record and hopefully break that record every single year for the next 50 years.”
An Invitation to Dream Big
- Explore visionary funding partnerships that expand access to advanced cancer care and research close to home and work.
- Connect with City of Hope Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy to learn about volunteer leadership needs and partnership options.
- Bring early detection, screening and prevention programs to your employees.
- Find out how to get involved with Walk for Hope near you!
- To learn more, contact Hector Campos Jr., Director, Corporate Philanthropy, [email protected].