LOS ANGELES – Recognizing that philanthropy is a team effort, City of Hope’s Music and Entertainment Industry group will honor Shelli and Irving Azoff with the 2011 Spirit of Life Award. The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious honor and recognizes individuals who have committed their time and resources to helping those in need. The Azoffs, who are the first couple ever to receive The Spirit of Life Award, will be honored at the Spirit of Life gala on Saturday, May 7, at Gibson Amphitheatre and Universal Studios in Hollywood, Calif. Proceeds will benefit lifesaving research, treatment and education programs for cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases at City of Hope.
Unlike the traditional black-tie dinner of previous years, the 2011 Spirit of Life event will be a family-oriented all-day affair. In addition to the tribute and Spirit of Life Award presentation to the Azoffs, the day will include private live performances by musicians and comedians. Universal Studios will close early on May 7 providing event attendees exclusive access to the venue, including all rides and attractions.
“We are grateful and privileged to receive this year’s Spirit of Life Award, and are proud to help recognize the incredible work being done by researchers at City of Hope,” the Azoffs said. “The institution’s level of advanced research into finding cures for life-threatening diseases is unparalleled, and we’re pleased to support its vision.”
“We are pleased to bestow our highest philanthropic honor to Shelli and Irving Azoff,” said Gary Stiffelman, President, City of Hope’s Music and Entertainment Industry Group. “They are a model of philanthropic commitment and an inspiration to everyone who seeks to make cancer a curable and ultimately preventable disease.”
“Irving is the first person in the 37 year history of the Music and Entertainment Industry Group to be honored twice with its Spirit of Life Award It’s a real testament to his remarkable creativity and talent that he is even more important to the industry today than when we first honored him 27 years ago. And now with Shelli as his co-honoree, with her own amazing network of contacts and influence, this stands to be one of the most successful events in the history of our industry group,” said Zach Horowitz, Major Gifts Chair, City of Hope’s Music and Entertainment Industry group.
The Spirit of Life Award is presented to those who exemplify the ideals and values that have guided City of Hope for nearly a century. The Spirit of Life, by its very name, represents the intangible qualities that make an individual’s life worthy of admiration: their generosity, their ability to inspire and their desire to make a difference in the world.
Irving Azoff is executive chairman of Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s largest entertainment company, and chairman and chief executive officer of the Front Line Management Group. The Azoffs reside in Beverly Hills, Calif., and have four children.
Inspired by the guiding humanitarian principles of City of Hope and motivated by the institution’s commitment to innovative medical research and compassionate patient care, a group of key industry executives founded the Music and Entertainment Industry group in 1973. In its 37-year history, the group has raised over $89 million for City of Hope and has honored some of the most important figures in the music and entertainment industry. Recent past honorees include Tim Leiweke, President and CEO, AEG, Doug Morris, Chairman and CEO of UMG, and Bob Cavallo, Chairman, Disney Music Group.
To register for City of Hope’s Music and Entertainment Industry Group Spirit of Life gala, visit www.cityofhope.org/music or contact Britta Bucholz at bbucholz@coh.org or 213-241-7389.
About City of Hope
City of Hope is a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope’s research and treatment protocols advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope is located in Duarte, Calif., just northeast of Los Angeles, and is ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer and urology by U.S.News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics. For more information, visit www.cityofhope.org or follow City of Hope on facebook, twitter, youtube or flickr.