These days, it’s easy to feel discouraged and disconnected when we scroll through our phones or turn on the news. The dominant narrative is one of division — stories that too often remind us of our political, cultural and generational divides.
Yet, in my role as Chief Philanthropy Officer at City of Hope®, I am a witness to something quietly powerful: philanthropy is a place where people still come together.
In my work, I see that philanthropy is so much more than a funding mechanism. It is an expression of our shared humanity — where people from all walks of life act not out of outrage or obligation, but out of care. It’s proof that there are still places where we show up for each other.
At City of Hope, we see every day how our mission brings people together who might otherwise never cross paths. Our philanthropic community includes people from every region, generation and profession. We have CEOs and students, grandparents and kids, experienced community leaders and first-time volunteers. They stand and give side-by-side, not because they agree on everything — but because they agree that everyone deserves the chance to survive and thrive.
This spirit of unity is evident in many ways. Recently, our annual Walk for Hope brought together 20,000 people nationwide, united in their commitment to end cancer. Together, they helped raise more than $3.2 million for cancer research and care.
In Irvine, Calif., dozens of Orange County community leaders — and even global icon Diana Ross — gathered to support the opening of our new specialty cancer hospital.
In Hawaii, Scott Meehan transformed personal loss into hope by founding Daisy Fest, a community music festival that honors his late wife, Donna, and raises money for pancreatic cancer research at City of Hope.
And The Sacchi Foundation recently pledged $5 million to advance pediatric cancer research and care at City of Hope so that the children we see can live the healthiest, fullest lives possible.
As a philanthropy professional, I find hope in the fact that so many of us continue to strive toward a better world.
The impact of this kind of philanthropic engagement is profound and multifaceted. Yes, it kickstarts innovation that saves lives. It also creates the connection, belonging and purpose that provide meaning in our lives. In today’s world, that’s not just valuable — it's vital.
In honor of National Philanthropy Day on November 15, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all our supporters and employees who author these powerful stories of unity. Your efforts are a beacon of hope to us all.
Thank you,
Kristin J. Bertell
Chief Philanthropy Officer
P.S. Mark your calendars for Giving Tuesday, December 2. More people give to City of Hope on Giving Tuesday than any other day of the year — setting another powerful example of collective impact. If you feel inspired to make City of Hope your charity of choice this giving season, you can make a gift here: CityofHope.org/GivingTuesday
“Philanthropy is an expression of our shared humanity...It’s proof that there are still places where we show up for each other.”
— Kristin Bertell
Chief Philanthropy Officer at City of Hope