Nearly a century ago, small groups of women and men united to help City of Hope bring care and dignity to people suffering from tuberculosis. These first local chapters reached out nationwide to like-minded people in their effort to support City of Hope in the fight against disease.

Today, chapters — dedicated groups of individual volunteers who raise millions of dollars to advance innovative research, treatment and education programs — remain a critical part of City of Hope’s fundraising efforts.

They flexed in cow pose and stretched in downward dog. They rocked like happy babies and stood strong like warriors. Whatever the pose, hundreds of City of Hope supporters used their yoga skills in 2011 to back the cause through Yoga for Hope.

San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Phoenix all hosted Yoga for Hope fundraising events. Each featured renowned yoga instructors and live music.

Among the highlights was San Diego’s Yoga for Hope, which sold out with 500 participants and raised more than $80,000. The top team fundraiser was Haute for Hope (more than $32,000) and top participant was Jamie Dicken (nearly $6,600). Seattle’s 400-guest event in July raised more than $43,000 with help from top fundraising team hauteyoga Queen Anne (nearly $7,900) and top participant lululemon athletica (about $5,800). The San Francisco event grew to 300 participants and raised nearly $30,000. Top team fundraiser lululemon athletica San Francisco (more than $2,000) and top participant Daisy Salzman (about $1,300) boosted the effort.

Visit http://nationalevents.cityofhope.org to view photos from the regional Yoga for Hope events. — Alicia Di Rado

Edison, N.J. — A decade after her heartfelt pledge, Janna Zuckerman has nearly reached her dream.

In 2002, Zuckerman, then a teenager, made a personal promise to raise $1 million to fight cancer by the time she graduated from college. She was moved to make the commitment after Michelle Offsie, a family friend, died of breast cancer.

Zuckerman graduated from Towson University in Maryland in May 2011 — and the Michelle Offsie Memorial Walk that she founded has raised nearly $900,000 in support of cancer research, treatment and education at City of Hope. The Edison, N.J. Chapter hosted the 10th annual walk on June 5 with support from 2,000 participants, Edison Township, Edison Public School District and hundreds of volunteers who have made the event a success.
— Michele DiVeterano

New York — The East End Chapter/Jeanne Kaye League presented Spirit of Life® Awards to television broadcaster Robin Roberts of “Good Morning America,” Laura Geller, founder of Laura Geller Makeup Inc., and one of its own, Honey Cook, chapter co-president. Nearly 500 people attended the May 25, 2011, event in New York City, which raised more than $330,000 for City of Hope.

“My own personal experience of fighting and being able to overcome breast cancer is due to the medical and scientific advances of cancer centers like City of Hope that are dedicated to finding cures,” said Roberts.

Geller added: “I’ve witnessed the ways that cancer deeply affects the lives of my family and friends. This is why I encourage everyone to support organizations such as City of Hope that are leading the way in advanced research and treatment so that more lives can be saved.”

Cook has been a strong force as a member of the chapter for more than 30 years, and has served as a chapter president for almost half of that time. “I’m honored to be recognized by an organization that I have been involved with for many years,” she said. “I continue to believe in the lifesaving work City of Hope does and their commitment to defeating cancer for the generations to come.” — Laura Kim

San Diego — The Gussie K. Singer Chapter’s annual Mother’s Day luncheon in May 2011 not only raised funds to fight cancer, but also honored a local mom whose son was treated successfully for cancer at City of Hope.

Pam Cotta was honored as “Mother of the Year” at the event; her now-13-year-old son, Marshall, was treated for primitive neuroectodermal tumor, a rare cancer with an extremely poor prognosis that generally affects children and teens, at City of Hope in 1998. The family has supported research at the institution for many years.

More than 100 guests gathered at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel for the event. Chapter leaders Arlene Orlansky, president, and Marian Greenberg, vice president, spearheaded the luncheon’s fundraising efforts, which resulted in more than $30,000 for research and treatment programs at City of Hope.

The Gussie K. Singer Chapter was founded in 1928 as the Jewish Consumptive Relief Association of San Diego. It was the fourth chapter formed and is currently the longest-standing City of Hope chapter. About 58 active members currently fill its roster; the oldest member is 93 years old.

Chapter members renamed the group to honor the dedication and commitment of Gussie K. Singer, a longtime, dynamic volunteer, after her death in 1989. Singer, whose own daughter died from cancer, was motivated to support children with cancer and other parents whose children were ill. She and her husband, Stanley Singer, became ardent supporters of City of Hope. — Laura Kim

Arlene Orlansky (left) and Marian Greenberg.

PHOTOS: COURTESY EDISON, N.J. CHAPTER; TERI BLOOM; ROBYN HIMA