City of Hope Announces 2019 Spirit of Life Award Honorees
Furniture World News Desk on
10/19/2018
City of Hope, an independent cancer research and treatment center, reports that its International Home Furnishing’s Industry group will honor Larry Klaben, founder of Morris Furniture Company; Surya Tiwari, founder of Surya; and Satya Tiwari, president of Surya, with the 2019 Spirit of Life® Award. The annual award, City of Hope’s highest honor, recognizes a leader whose work has fundamentally impacted the home furnishing industry. In addition to The Spirit of Life Award, Irv Blumkin and the Blumkin Family will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement award at a dinner at the Sheraton in Greensboro, North Carolina, on April 7, 2019.
“I am extremely honored to be one of the 2019 Spirt of Life recipients for the Home Furnishings Industry, an industry that has given so much to my family. Many of us have been affected by the diseases that City of Hope is working tirelessly to beat”, said Larry Klaben. He goes on to share, “My mother passed away of diabetes and my father had cancer, there’s no better place to invest in cancer research than City of Hope. My company’s mission is “Making Homes Great’ and I truly believe that the City of Hope “Makes People’s Health Great.”
While Larry was unable to attend the Spirit of Life kickoff reception on Friday, October 12th due to a prior commitment for another philanthropic organization, 30 plus industry executives got together in Surya’s Showroom to celebrate the start of the campaign. Together the International Home Furnishings National Chair, Chuck Reilly and the Spirit of Life Dinner Chair, Kevin O’Connor shared congratulatory messages and words of encouragement, thanking both the industry and the upcoming honorees for their continued support. Past Spirit of Life honorees that attended included: Michael Amini, AICO, Ron Baer, Baer’s Furniture, Art DeFehr, Palliser, Kurt Darrow, Lay-Z-Boy, Michael Goldberg, Raymour & Flanigan, Jena Hall, Jena Hall Desings, Kevin O’Connor, Samson Marketing, Martin Ploy, AICO and Fred Starr, DesignCliq .
As Satya is now joining an esteemed list of past Spirit of Life recipients, he reflects on the upcoming award. “My father and I are very honored to receive this year’s Spirit of Life Award,” stated Tiwari. “Although we are receiving this award, the real credit goes to the efforts of thousands of our weavers, employees and vendor partners across the world. We look forward to continue the success City of Hope has achieved in the Furniture Industry and work to elevate the visibility within the Accessory Industry.”
“Your industry support has enabled us to accelerate the pace of discovery in cancer and diabetes care, transform our understanding of life-threatening diseases and move promising basic discoveries toward actual treatments” said Kristin Bertell, Chief Philanthropy Officer at City of Hope. “City of Hope would not be in a position to change care for patients worldwide if it weren’t for the generosity of this industry. Congratulations Satya, Larry and the Blumkin Family, City of Hope is grateful for your commitment and excited for the 2019 campaign.”
City of Hope is dedicated to speeding new research ideas into medical treatments to quickly bring cures to patients. Its breakthrough research has led to therapies now used by millions of people worldwide.
For millions around the world facing life-threatening disease, hope is everything. Hope is research leading to better therapies. Hope is a scientist working tirelessly to speed new medicine to patients. Hope is City of Hope on the search for medical cures.
For more information on the 2019 Spirit of Life campaign, please visit
www.cityofhope.org/ihfi-gala
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 is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with 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 www.cityofhope.org
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.