City of Hope Spirit of Life Gala Raises $1.3 Million
Furniture World News Desk on
4/29/2026
2026 Spirt of Life Gala Honorees.
GREENSBORO, N.C. – City of Hope’s International Home Furnishings Industry group raised $1.3 million at its Spirit of Life gala held during High Point Market and honored industry veteran Kevin O’Connor with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nearly 500 industry professionals attended the annual gala at the Four Seasons Sheraton. The event recognized O’Connor’s leadership and commitment to City of Hope’s mission. The International Home Furnishings Industry group has been City of Hope’s philanthropic partner since 1965 and has raised over $105 million.
City of Hope CEO Robert Stone discussed the future of cancer care, the impact of the Human Genome Project and the potential role of artificial intelligence in research and treatment.
“The promise is extraordinary. The hope is real,” said Stone. “But ladies and gentlemen, we should not be satisfied. Help us continue to move faster. Help us continue to bring advanced care to more people in more places. Your support saves lives.”
O’Connor’s support for City of Hope was inspired by his daughter, Christine, who lost her battle with breast cancer 14 years ago. His personal experience as a patient and survivor of prostate cancer also contributed to his advocacy.
“What you learn when you’re at City of Hope is that it’s a place that has a little magic,” said O’Connor. “From the time you step on that campus, the compassionate care of the doctors and the scientists uniquely work with you on what they call translational medical… There’s a certain kind of care that takes place there that you don’t see other places, and it permeates through the whole place.”
O’Connor also said, “My work in advocacy for the City of Hope is clearly the most important work of my lifetime… Find something in your life you’re passionate about to help someone and then get involved.”
Spirit of Life sponsors included:
- Presenting Sponsor ($100,000): Rooms To Go
- Honoree Circle Sponsors ($50,000): Ashley Furniture, LS Direct, Samson Marketing, Surya
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Diamond Sponsors ($25,000): Baer’s Furniture, Berkshire Hathaway: Jordan’s, Nebraska Furniture Mart, RC Willey and Star Furniture, CITY Furniture, Classic Home, Darvin Furniture, Flexsteel, Haverty’s Furniture, Hooker Furnishings, J.B. Hunt, KUKA Home, La-Z-Boy, Liberty Furniture, ManWah, Raymour & Flanigan, Tempur Sealy
The release directed registration inquiries for the West Coast Golf, Tennis & Pickleball Tournament to [email protected].
About City of Hope
City of Hope’s mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S. and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center at its core, City of Hope brings a uniquely integrated model to patients spanning cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and innovation initiatives. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org.
About International Home Furnishings Industry
Inspired by the guiding humanitarian principles of City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S. and a leading research center for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses, and motivated by the institution’s commitment to innovative medical research and compassionate patient care, a group of key industry executives founded City of Hope’s International Home Furnishings Industry (IHFI) group in 1965.
In its 60-plus-year history, the group has raised over $105 million for City of Hope and has honored some of the most influential figures in the home furnishings industry. With a tradition of uniting professionals from around the world, IHFI represents a community of executives, professionals and colleagues in every segment of the home furnishings category, including retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives, suppliers and associated service providers.
The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious honor and is presented to an esteemed community of industry leaders around the world who have made a significant commitment to improving the lives of others through the advancement of research and clinical innovation and the delivery of personalized, compassionate care.
Past honorees include Martin Ploy of AICO, Andrew Koenig of CITY Furniture, , Larry Klaben of Morris Furniture Co. Inc., Michael Amini, and Todd and Ron Wanek of Ashley Furniture, to name a few. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org/giving/international-home-furnishings-industry.