Hope Springs Eternal: 10th Annual City of Hope Gala

toh-300x300Founded over 4 decades ago, the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry group has harnessed its formidable forces to raise over $105 million dollars in support of City of Hope’s mission to cure and prevent cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.  Inspired by the institution’s dedication to compassionate patient care and innovative medical research, members have partnered with City of Hope to save lives through their fundraising support and patient referrals, touching over 100 million lives.

With considerable reach, City of Hope’s mission extends to clinical trials and research programs impacting cancer centers and hospitals.  One of just 45 comprehensive care centers in America, City of Hope itself has served countless souls in need for over 100 years. The Music, Film and Entertainment Industry group boasts over 100 senior level execs whose efforts and time have continuously raised the fundraising bar since 1973.

Hundreds of industry professionals representing major labels, publishing houses, touring, and artist management will convene tonight (March 24) to celebrate City of Hope’s efforts at the 10th Annual Taste of Hope gala. Play MPE’s attendee, VP Label Relations, Laurie Gail remarks: “I’m so pleased that we are supporting the City of Hope once again this year! It’s such a worthwhile cause!”

Heading up Taste of Hope is Event Chair Alissa Pollack, EVP Music & Partner Integrations for at Premiere Networks/Mediabase/iHeartRadio.  Alissa had this to say about the event: “I can’t believe it’s our 10th Anniversary! I’m excited that it’s our biggest year in attendance and we are on track to break our record for the most money ever raised at the event! This year I had more people than ever reach out for a referral to City of Hope. It reminds me of why this mission is so important and why we still have a lot of work to do. However, it’s also rewarding to see the incredible care that City of Hope provides those people not just in treatment, but emotionally. Having lost my dad to lung cancer, I can personally understand how important it is to have the comfort of knowing your loved one is getting the best care possible. I’m proud to be part of an industry like ours that is quick to rally around a great cause and really make a difference!”

Joining Alissa among the heavy hitters on City of Hope’s board?  An impressive lot:  Steve Bartles, CEO of Def Jam; Richard Palmese, CEO, Palmese Entertainment; Azoff Music Group; Tom Corson, President & COO, RCA Records; Peter Gray, Executive Vice President, Promotions, Warner Bros. Records; Marcus T. Grant, Artist Manager, TwentyThree12; Shawn “Pecas” Costner, Vice President, Player Relations, Roc Nation Sports; Bruce Gearheart, President, Bacchus Importers, Ltd., aaaand Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman & CEO, Epic Records.  Whew!  That’s a lotta players doing the right thing. Past honorees include Irving Azoff, Executive Chairman, Live Nation, and wife, Shelli Azoff; Tim Leiweke, President and CEO, AEG; Doug Morris, Chairman and CEO of UMG; and Bob Cavallo, Chairman, Disney Music Group.

Big name artists have also lent their celebrity to the cause.  Joe Jonas joins a cross-generational group of supporters which includes Collective Soul, The Doobie Brothers, Smokey Robinson and Lou Gossett Jr.  Each have recorded public service announcements spotlight City of Hope’s Education, Research, and Treatment programs. (Emblematic of the industry-wide support, said PSA’s will air not just in broadcast scenarios, but also to AMC, Regal, Cinemark and Laemmle movie theater audiences, thanks to a partnership with DMI Music and Yes Dear Entertainment.

In addition to all of the above, a portion of funds raised at the 10th annual Taste of Hope will go to the Jason Pollack Memorial Fund at Musicians on Call, which supports music programming for patients and their families at City of Hope.

Presenting sponsor Alternative Distribution Alliance joins iHeartMedia, Mediabase, and Music Express in supporting the gala.

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