LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Sept. 19, at a summer-infused gala in Playa Vista, City of Hope honored its 2013 Spirit of Life® Award honoree, Rob Light, the head of music and a managing partner at Creative Artists Agency. The event — attended by Light’s music industry colleagues, prominent musicians and longtime friends — celebrated not just Light, but Light’s dedication to City of Hope.
The Spirit of Life Award is the institution’s most prestigious philanthropic honor, and it follows a year-long Spirit of Life fundraising campaign. Light’s efforts raised $6.1 million for City of Hope, a leading cancer research and treatment center located in Greater Los Angeles. The impact of that campaign will be new scientific advances.
“The contribution that Rob Light has made to City of Hope will help us speed new medical breakthroughs to patients not just at City of Hope, but worldwide,” said City of Hope Chief Executive Officer Michael A. Friedman, M.D. “We are deeply appreciative of the success of his Spirit of Life campaign, which will directly impact our mission to create healthier lives for people everywhere.”
Light’s innovative philanthropy campaign not only raised significant funds for scientific research and treatments, it raised awareness of City of Hope itself — now celebrating its centennial and entering its second century of service — even as it brought hope to millions of people touched by cancer.
The Summer of Hope was the digital aspect of Light’s philanthropic campaign. Harnessing the reach of social media and the power of the music industry, it called attention to the fight against cancer by unifying artists and their fans alike. From the first day of summer through the weeks that followed, City of Hope’s unified message encouraged cancer patients and others around the world.
“The music industry is a collection of passionate, tenacious, smart and creative individuals, and I have long been proud and honored to be a part of such a group,” said Light. “To see how my music family has come together throughout this campaign to support City of Hope and the extraordinary work they do, has been deeply gratifying.”
The Spirit of Life gala marked the 40th year of partnership between City of Hope and the Music & Entertainment Industry, a group that has been vital to the hospital’s mission and work.
The generous efforts behind the Spirit of Life campaigns have led to City of Hope treatment advances that benefit both the people fighting cancer today — and the people who will fight cancer tomorrow. Through his campaign, Rob Light has helped improve lives everywhere.
Photos of the 2013 Spirit of Life gala are available here.
About City of Hope
City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope’s main hospital is located in Duarte, Calif., just northeast of Los Angeles, with clinics in Antelope Valley and South Pasadena. It is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org or follow City of Hope on facebook, twitter, youtube or flickr.