What a year! So much has happened at City of Hope® over the last 12 months. Our community has celebrated incredible wins and faced real challenges. Through it all, City of Hope employees and supporters have remained steadfast in their commitment to our mission.
It’s this commitment that keeps City of Hope strong and makes incredible progress possible. As a reminder of that progress — and as a thank you for your unwavering dedication — I am honored to share five of our most popular stories from the year.
These stories are each inspiring in their own way, but the thing that stands out most to me is how these stories reflect the power of our community. I love that. And I love that so many of you love that, too.
As we head into this holiday season, I wish you all peace, prosperity and good health. Thank you for being part of the City of Hope story.
Your Most Loved Stories of 2025
A community comes together after tragedy: In January, devastating wildfires upended the lives of many people in Southern California, including hundreds of City of Hope patients and team members. Medical oncologist Ravi Salgia, M.D., and his family narrowly escaped disaster, jumping into action to make sure our Duarte hospital patients stayed safe. His story and others inspired an outpouring of support.
New locations expand hope across America: Wherever they live, whatever their backgrounds, all patients deserve the best care available. Thanks to generous philanthropy, City of Hope is expanding access to advanced care across the country. In 2025, we opened new clinical locations in Georgia and Arizona, and a new specialty hospital in Orange County, California.
City of Hope proposes 10 bold solutions to end cancer: Earlier this year, City of Hope announced 10 bold solutions to address the most urgent cancer challenges, including rising cancer rates among women and young people. Our physician-scientists and philanthropic supporters have rallied around these solutions, from microbiome research to Artificial Intelligence, eager to advance the next frontier of cancer medicine.
A cherished volunteer makes our day: Longtime Los Angeles volunteer Chuck O’Shea credits City of Hope with saving his life. While he is no longer a patient, he has remained an integral part of our family for over a decade, touching countless lives along the way. He has been a “blue shirt” campus volunteer, a member of our Patient and Family Advisory Council, and a generous philanthropic supporter. O’Shea is one of 25,000 City of Hope volunteers who have a tremendous positive impact on our patients and care.
Even the toughest among us need a team: Sergeant Major Janina Simmons made history as the first Black woman to become an Army Ranger and the first female Army Ranger graduate to reach the rank of Sergeant Major. In her 30s, she faced her toughest challenge yet: Stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer. Her physician, a trusted nurse, and a new therapy gave Simmons her life back. Simmons’ courage and resilience are an inspiration to us all. Donor support makes stories like hers possible every day.
Warmest wishes,
Kristin J. Bertell
Chief Philanthropy Officer
P.S. There is still time to make a year-end tax-deductible gift to City of Hope. Donate online here to designate your gift to the area that means the most to you or honor a loved one with your contribution. Every gift makes a difference.
“These stories are each inspiring in their own way, but the thing that stands out most to me is how these stories reflect the power of our community.”
— Kristin Bertell
Chief Philanthropy Officer at City of Hope