City of Hope

City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., has received a historic $150 million gift from entrepreneur and philanthropist A. Emmet Stephenson Jr. and his daughter Tessa Stephenson Brand to fund pancreatic cancer research. The gift is the single largest in City of Hope’s 111-year history. The centerpiece of this gift is the $1 million Stephenson Prize, one of the largest privately funded awards for scientific investigation, which will be awarded annually to a leading scientist or team making the most promising advancements in pancreatic cancer research, treatments and cures. The prize is open to individual investigators and teams driving innovation at institutions around the world. The Stephensons are entrepreneurs who believe in groundbreaking innovation and City of Hope as a pioneer driving transformational change in cancer care. We are honored to receive their visionary gift, which will bring new hope to patients and their families. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3XJXEJJ

City of Hope is committed to ensuring every patient has equitable access to the expertise and treatment they need to beat cancer, which is why we were proud to participate in #TotalHealth24, where our vice president for government affairs, Joseph Alvarnas, M.D., appeared on the "Advancing Health Equity Goals via Value-Based Programs" panel. Panelists discussed how integrating health equity principles into value-based care programs will help ensure equitable access and tailored interventions for vulnerable populations and reduce disparities in health care outcomes. Thank you, Reuters Events Healthcare, for elevating this important conversation.

I’m always eager to talk about my passions, like transplant and CAR T cell therapy, so it was nice to sit down with STAT’s Gideon Gil at this year’s #STATSummit. We discussed City of Hope’s cell therapy program, the largest and one of the most successful in the country, as well as how we’ve expanded these lifesaving offerings to our patients across the country. We also touched on the ever-hot topic of the microbiome, including its impact on immunotherapy outcomes and how exciting it will be to apply that research to City of Hope’s new and unique national model for clinical trials. Thank you STAT for a great event and giving me a reason to get back to Boston! #STATSummit #immunotherapy #access

Gouri Varatkar, PT, CEEAA, CAPP, is a dedicated physical therapist at City of Hope, where she helps patients regain function, strength and alleviate pain. Gouri recognizes that treating cancer patients requires not just clinical expertise but also deep compassion and empathy. Her approach goes beyond alleviating pain and overcoming mobility limitations; it’s about empowering patients to confront their diagnoses with strength during treatment and in survivorship. Thank you Gouri, and the physical therapy team for your commitment to healing and making hope a reality for all patients.

Science and cancer research have been the biggest joy for Jenny Paredes, PhD. She came to the U.S. to complete her undergraduate degree in microbiology and never looked back. Now, she works in the Van den Brink lab in Duarte, California, as a staff scientist. For Hispanic Heritage Month, she shares why this month is important to her. “I am incredibly proud of being Colombian and of all the contributions of Latin Americans to the history of this country. This month is a party where everyone is invited to fall in love with our culture!” Another joy of hers: running and hiking. In her words, “Every challenge that I take is a reminder that our minds and bodies are strong and resilient!” Thank you, Dr. Paredes, for your passion for representation, inclusion and being an inspiration to us all.

Meet 8-year-old Enrique Mercado-Rodriguez! ☀️ At just 3 years old, Enrique was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His family turned to City of Hope Children's Cancer Center for treatment. Now, he's a proud third grader, aspiring veterinarian and cancer survivor. Over the summer, Enrique took flight in the Mini Jet Air Force at the Long Beach Parade — bringing joy and a fun memory for everyone involved! Enrique's journey from cancer patient to survivor continues to fill us with hope. We honor his strength and look forward to the many bright moments to come.

Sarcoma may be rare and complex, but that doesn’t stop City of Hope sarcoma surgical oncologist William Tseng, M.D., and his team from fighting every day to heal patients and bring hope. From high school biology club president to leading sarcoma specialist, Dr. Tseng is excited by the advances being made in this field. He knows that sarcoma is no longer a “one solution, one treatment” disease. His passion lies in spending time with his patients, educating and empowering them to understand their unique cancer journey. Dr. Tseng shares, "My vision, my goal would be to have every sarcoma patient get the right treatment through a sarcoma specialist, like what we have here at City of Hope."

City of Hope surgical urologist Diana Londoño, MD's journey from personal loss to professional impact is a testament to City of Hope’s values of integrity and compassion. After losing her father to untreated prostate cancer, she transformed her grief into a mission: to advocate for patient dignity and accessible health care, especially within the Latino community. Born in Mexico City and now a urologist at City of Hope Los Angeles, Dr. Londoño understands the importance of bridging cultural gaps and ensuring that every patient feels heard and respected. By honoring her roots and advocating for those who may feel marginalized, she exemplifies how personal experiences can drive meaningful change in the medical field. Read Dr. Londoño’s story: https://bit.ly/4eEVVLC

City of Hope physician-scientist and computational geneticist Enrique I. Velazquez Villarreal, MD, PhD, MPH, is committed to improving health care for Hispanic and Latino communities. On Friday, October 11, at 9 a.m. PT, he will participate in a panel hosted by The Latino Cancer Institute to explore the critical intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and Latino health. Tune in to this important conversation and gain insights into how AI is shaping cancer diagnosis, interventions and care for Latino populations. Hear Dr. Velazquez Villarreal champion for more diverse voices and perspectives in the AI space. Register now to be part of this impactful discussion: https://lnkd.in/euN9qupr

We’re kicking off Diversity Week at City of Hope in all locations — City of Hope Atlanta, City of Hope Chicago, City of Hope Los Angeles, City of Hope Orange County, City of Hope Phoenix and at TGen! This week-long observance celebrates the beauty and significance of diversity in all its forms: the unique perspectives, experiences, talents and cultural backgrounds that employees and patients bring. It’s these differences that weave together to create a rich and vibrant tapestry, full of innovative ideas, insights and expressions. Much like the discoveries in science, the deeper we explore and embrace the richness of our diversity, the more we learn and make progress — side by side, as One City of Hope. Together, we become stronger and more capable of creating a better future. #CityofHopeDiversityWeek #CityofHope #DEI (Chalk art by City of Hope employee Gus Moran.)