Today is National Philanthropy Day — a day dedicated to celebrating people who give back to their communities, including more than a million City of Hope® supporters who have donated time, talent and treasure to our mission.
Did you know the concept for National Philanthropy Day came from a City of Hope supporter? In the 1980s, tax attorney Doug Freeman came up with the idea, believing that generosity is a powerful force for good. He spent five years lobbying Congress, writing letters and organizing support for a national observance on November 15 that would recognize all the ways Americans give back.
Back then, Doug recognized something important. Philanthropy isn’t just for the wealthy. Philanthropy is for all of us. In fact, the word “philanthropy” means “love of humankind.” That love can take many forms — giving, volunteering, advocating.
Doug believes, and is proof, that one person can make a difference. And I agree, because I see it in the work we do every day at City of Hope.
Philanthropy is our origin story. It’s the reason why a group of volunteers came together 112 years ago to create City of Hope as a refuge for people who were suffering. This legacy continues today with you.
If you are a City of Hope supporter, then you are a philanthropist. I can't think of a better way to love your fellow humans than to help cure cancer and diabetes. Because of you, we are well on our way.
In this newsletter, you’ll see just a few of many people in our community — volunteers, donors, business leaders, employees — who are giving hope and changing lives.
- Music legends Sir Elton John and Celine Dion joined our Music, Film and Entertainment industry for their annual Spirit of Life® gala, which brought in more than $7.5 million for cancer research and youth survivor programs.
- Debbie Thurmond, Ph.D., Chan Soon-Shiong Shapiro Distinguished Chair in Diabetes, shares how donor support is powering diabetes breakthroughs at the Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute.
- Industry executive Mike James talks about what philanthropy means to him and why he rallied friends and colleagues from the National Life Insurance Council to raise millions for prostate cancer research.
- More than one thousand people turned out to Walk for Hope in Phoenix on November 9, establishing a new local tradition for one of our most treasured community events.
- Richard T. Lee, M.D., Cherng Family Director’s Chair for the Center for Integrative Oncology, reports on exciting progress at the Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology, a center focused on evidence-based holistic care made possible by philanthropy.
I am so proud to work for an organization that inspires so much hope in the world. None of it would be possible without you.
From all of us in the Office of Philanthropy, please accept our most sincere gratitude for all the ways you support our mission.
Thank you,
Kristin J. Bertell
Chief Philanthropy Officer
P.S. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating #GivingTuesday on December 3. More people give to City of Hope on Giving Tuesday than any other day of the year. It’s a wonderful way for our community to come together and make a significant, collective impact. Every gift adds up to lives improved and lives saved.