City of Hope Announces Spirit of Life Award Dinner Honorees

Furniture World News Desk on 10/18/2017

Pictured above from left: Ron Baer, Martin Ploy, Michael Amini, Michael Goldberg, Samuel Kuo, Kevin O’Connor, Grace Liu, Neil Goldberg, Jena Hall, Kim Yost and Fred Starr.

City of Hope, a world leader in cancer and diabetes research and treatment, announced at their Kickoff Reception that the International Home Furnishing’s Industry group will honor Kim Yost, president and CEO of Art Van Furniture along with Samson Holding co-founders Samuel Kuo and Grace Liu during the 2018 Spirit of Life Award Dinner slated for April 15, 2018 during spring High Point Market. The award is City of Hope’s highest honor, and each year recognizes leaders in both retail and manufacturing for their philanthropic and business achievements.

Sharon Joyce, City of Hope’s vice president of corporate and national philanthropy stated, “We are proud to honor these exceptional leaders whose noteworthy contributions to the industry and their communities, here and abroad, make them exceptional recipients of City of Hope’s highest humanitarian awards. The fundraising efforts put forth over the next year will continue to fuel lifesaving research to benefit patients with cancer and diabetes around the world.”

Both The Spirit of Life Award Dinner and West Coast Golf & Tennis Tournament follow multi-month-long fundraising efforts that support City of Hope’s ability to quickly speed new therapies and scientific breakthroughs to patients who need them.

“We are honored to receive this year’s Spirit of Life Award to make a difference in the lives of those who suffer from cancer and other life-threatening diseases,” said Kuo and Liu, “We are confident that our industry will work together to support this campaign for City of Hope.”

Yost added, “I am proud to accept this award on behalf of the 3,700 Art Van associates and share this special tribute with our founder and chairman Mr. Art Van Elslander. By supporting the research efforts at City of Hope, we will continue our longstanding commitment to philanthropy and our communities.”

Bassett San Diego leaders Kayleen and Rick Huffman, along with partner Ed Fishauf, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the June 11, 2018 West Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament in Coto de Caza, CA.

"We humbly accept this award and would like to recognize City of Hope for the incredible work and passion given from all the staff in the treatment of cancer and diabetes,” added Rick Huffman. “The love and compassion they show to each patient is truly remarkable. We are proud to be a part of an industry that contributes back so graciously."

To learn more about the 2018 City of Hope furniture events visit www.cityofhope.org/IHFI

More about International Home Furnishings Industry Group: 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. 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, California. These events spearhead the annual fundraising efforts, however many industry companies partner with City of Hope to raise additional funds with amazing success. IHFI is one of City of Hope’s premier fundraising groups, having raised over $93 million to fund innovative medical research and quality patient care at City of Hope.

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 48 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 is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with community clinics 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.