City of Hope's Spirit of Life Award Dinner Surpasses $2 Million for Cancer and Diabetes Research

Furniture World News Desk on 4/26/2018

City of Hope’s International Home Furnishings Industry (IHFI) recently honored four industry icons at the record-breaking Spirit of Life Award Dinner on April 15 during High Point Market: Samuel Kuo and Grace Liu, co-founders of Samson Holding, Kim Yost, president and CEO of Art Van Furniture, and a Spirit of Life Lifetime Achievement Award was presented posthumously to Mr. Art Van Elslander.

“Once again, this incredible campaign raised the bar and set another record and for the first time in history, we broke the $2 million barrier,” said Spirit of Life dinner chair, Kevin O’Connor. Funds raised will support cancer and diabetes research and treatment efforts at City of Hope, the world-renowned medical, scientific research and treatment center.

“I’m so humbled by this honor and grateful Art Van Furniture was part of this historic-breaking milestone to help raise funds for City of Hope,” said Kim Yost, president and CEO of Art Van Furniture.

Samuel Kuo of Samson Holding said, “Grace and I are humbled to be honored by City of Hope and are thrilled to lend our support to this amazing institution’s ground breaking research in the pursuit of cures for cancer and diabetes.”

“This honor pairs two of my father’s passions - the furniture industry, which was like his second family, and the spirit of giving,” added Gary Van Elslander, “Our family is grateful to City of Hope for celebrating his life in this way, and for all they do to benefit others.”

“The home furnishings industry has made a remarkable impact on new discoveries in the treatment of cancer and diabetes,” added Chuck Reilly, senior vice president at AICO and City of Hope’s national chair. “Over the last 53 years, through events, special initiatives and transformational partnerships, our industry has now contributed over $95 Million toward research at City of Hope, providing vital funding to clinical researchers, and hope and healing to patients everywhere.”

Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer at City of Hope added, “City of Hope is incredibly grateful for all of the ways the home furnishings industry supports our mission. Our progress is made possible through the generosity of all the companies and individuals that choose to partner with us in transforming the future of cancer and diabetes healthcare.”

More about City of Hope’s International Home Furnishings Industry: The International Home Furnishings Industry (IHFI) chapter was formed in 1965 as one of City of Hope’s first industry-based chapters. Led by dedicated industry and community leaders, this group encompasses every related industry segment: retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives, suppliers and associated service providers.

IHFI is one of City of Hope’s premier fundraising groups, having raised over $95 million to fund innovative medical research and quality patient care at City of Hope.

Each year, IHFI begins a new fundraising campaign led by its two flagship events, The Spirit of Life Award Dinner held during April Market in High Point, North Carolina and the West Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament held each June in Coto de Caza, Calif.. These events spearhead the annual fundraising efforts, however many industry companies partner with City of Hope to raise additional funds with amazing success. Across the country, retailers offer charitable sales events donating a percentage of their sales, manufacturers create specialty products or lines benefiting City of Hope, and industry executives and employees create fun and unique local fundraisers. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org/ihfi.

More about City of Hope: City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 49 comprehensive cancer centers, 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 world. City of Hope’s main campus is in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California. 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, diabetes and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs based on technology developed at the institution. For more information, visit CityofHope.com