The Oct. 10 annual fundraiser will recognize philanthropic and community support for the most advanced cancer research and treatment in Orange County as City of Hope Orange County approaches the first anniversary of the region’s only cancer specialty hospital
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CITY OF HOPE
Lisa O'Neill Hill
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CITY OF HOPE
Karina Carretero
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IRVINE, Calif. Aug. 12, 2026 — City of Hope Orange County, part of one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, announced today that Jennifer Hudson, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner and entertainment icon will perform at its 2026 Promises of Hope Gala.
The Oct. 10 gala at City of Hope Orange County’s academic research campus in Irvine will be chaired by philanthropic leader and longtime City of Hope champion Kelly J. Roberts. The annual event brings together philanthropic leaders, community supporters and City of Hope champions to recognize the generosity and community effort in delivering the full continuum of advanced cancer research and treatment to generations of patients in Orange County.
This year’s gala comes as City of Hope Orange County approaches the first anniversary of Orange County’s only cancer specialty hospital, which opened in December 2025 as part of the region’s most advanced, integrated cancer care network. The hospital is seamlessly connected to the City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, bringing more cancer-focused expertise, advanced acute and outpatient care, clinical trials and leading capabilities to patients across the region.
“City of Hope Orange County exists because people in our community believed families should not have to leave the region to receive advanced cancer care,” said Annette Walker, president of City of Hope Orange County, Ronald and Sandi Simon Presidential Chair. “Since City of Hope opened its first Orange County location in 2020, mor e than 45,000 unique patients have turned to our network for care. The generous support of our philanthropic community has made it possible to bring together the level of expertise patients need most — specialists focused on their cancer, access to research that can inform treatment and clinical trials that may offer another path — all in our backyard in Orange County.”
One of the few elite artists to achieve EGOT status, Hudson will perform during an evening honoring the generosity and shared commitment that continues to fuel City of Hope Orange County's growth and impact.
“City of Hope Orange County represents what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose,” said Roberts. “I’m honored to chair this year’s Promises of Hope Gala and support an organization that is advancing groundbreaking research, delivering exceptional patient care and creating hope for families throughout Orange County.”
Promises of Hope celebrates the philanthropic support for the sustained investment required to pursue new discoveries and translate research into advances for patients.
“Progress in the fight against cancer depends on people willing to support work whose impact may take years to fully realize. Without that forethought and generosity, City of Hope could not keep asking harder questions, advancing new approaches and building the kind of care patients and families need,” said Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer, City of Hope. “We are also immensely grateful to Jennifer Hudson for lending her voice to a mission that depends on both scientific ambition and human commitment.”
Proceeds from Promises of Hope will support programs, research and care across City of Hope Orange County. To learn more about the event or inquire about sponsorship opportunities, visit PromisesOfHope.givesmart.com.
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About Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson is a Grammy, Oscar, Tony, and Emmy winning artist and entertainment icon. Hudson’s nationally syndicated talk show, “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” is the recipient of eighteen Daytime Emmy Award nominations and two People’s Choice Awards nominations. The show, which continually features an impressive lineup of guests, earned her the AAFCA We See You Award, GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, and multiple NAACP Image Awards for Best Talk Show Host and Outstanding Talk Series. Hudson also released her Grammy Nominated first holiday album The Gift of Love in October 2024, which features genre-defying, world-class collaborations on classics and original songs.
About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation's top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.