Stars gathered in Los Angeles to honor leaders from the world of entertainment, and patients at City of Hope and beyond will benefit from the event. More than 4,000 music and performance artists, entertainment innovators and City of Hope supporters came together on May 7, 2011, to honor Shelli and Irving Azoff with City of Hope's highest philanthropic honor, The Spirit of Life® Award. Irving Azoff is chair of the board of Live Nation Entertainment, the world's largest entertainment company.

The Azoffs, who are the first couple from the Music and Entertainment Industry to receive The Spirit of Life Award, are deeply committed to the fight against cancer. Proceeds from the evening benefited research, treatment and education programs for cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases at City of Hope.

The evening began at the Gibson Amphitheatre with Darren Criss and the Warblers from the television show "Glee." Afterward, audience members watched a video about City of Hope's Power of Hope campaign and listened to words from Michael A. Friedman, M.D., president and chief executive officer (CEO) of City of Hope.

Then the Eagles took the stage, performing classic rock hits like "Take It Easy" and "Life in the Fast Lane." After their set, the Eagles presented The Spirit of Life Award to the Azoffs, who shared the recognition with their family members on stage.

The event closed with a private evening at Universal Studios, where the Kardashian family — from the reality show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" — hosted tram tours, and pop band Big Time Rush and 15-year-old singersongwriter Cody Simpson performed live. Guests also enjoyed Universal Studios' rides, attractions and restaurants late into the evening.

In addition to leading Live Nation Entertainment, Irving Azoff is chair and CEO of Front Line Management Group.

City of Hope's Music and Entertainment Industry group has honored many of the field's most successful leaders and innovators with The Spirit of Life Award, including Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, Doug Morris, chair and CEO of Universal Music Group, and Bob Cavallo, chair of Disney Music Group. — Laura Kim

The Azoff family is recognized by family and supporters as members of the Eagles rock group stand behind them.

Darren Criss and the Warblers

The Eagles

Bring Justin Bieber close to your heart. Let Barbra Streisand caress your shoulders. Bieber and Streisand are just two of the 28 popular music artists whose images currently adorn T-shirts that support City of Hope's cancer research and treatment programs. When fans purchase "Hope, Love and Rock & Roll" T-shirts from the artists' official websites or at CityofHopeShop.com, at least 50 percent of the retail price will benefit City of Hope.

Each collectible T-shirt features a participating artist, including Lady Gaga, John Lennon, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Green Day, Sugarland, Eminem, Ozzy Osbourne, Kiss and Rihanna. More artists will be announced throughout the year-long effort. The program is the latest in a long history of music industry support of City of Hope. Since its creation in 1973, City of Hope's Music and Entertainment Industry group has raised more than $96 million.

"I'm a big believer in the power of music to connect and heal," said Irving Azoff, chair of Live Nation Entertainment, which partnered with the artists and music merchandising company Bravado International on the effort. "I'm so grateful to the many artists and friends who are contributing to the unique Hope, Love and Rock & Roll merchandise program supporting City of Hope, an organization my wife, Shelli, and I are deeply committed to." The Azoffs are both Music and Entertainment Industry group members and were honored by City of Hope in May 2011.

"The artists in this program inspire millions of fans through their music and example," Shelli Azoff said. "I'm personally inspired by City of Hope's doctors and researchers, who work every day to develop treatments and cures for life-threatening illnesses, and I am delighted that music fans can join Irving and me in supporting this important organization just by purchasing one-of-a-kind T-shirts."

To purchase the limited-edition shirts or to learn more, visit CityofHopeShop.com. — Roya Alt

City of Hope's National Home Furnishings Industry went coast to coast this year to accomplish one of its most successful fundraising efforts against cancer, diabetes and other serious diseases.

Starting in Orange County, Calif., bed manufacturing executive Earl S. Kluft, chief executive officer (CEO) and founder of bedding company E.S. Kluft & Company, together with his wife, Pam Kluft, helped push City of Hope's West Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament in June to one of its most successful fundraising marks ever.

The event's fundraising total reached $750,000 thanks in part to the Klufts' donation of what has been called the most luxurious mattress in America. Valued at $33,000, the mattress was sold at auction. Earl Kluft was honored with City of Hope's Lifetime Achievement Award at the event at the Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club.

Fundraising continued in the Midwest as the industry hosted "A Night at the Museum," an evening at the Art Institute of Chicago celebrating the convergence of art and science. Industry executives came together at the August 2011 event to learn more about the latest research developments at City of Hope, as well as to peruse exhibits and participate in a silent auction. This first-of-its-kind event raised $68,000 for City of Hope.

Heading east, the inaugural Cruise for Hope honoring Simon Kaplan, CEO of Value City Furniture NJ and Ashley Home Stores, took place in September on the Hudson River in New York. This tribute dinner closely coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and included a special memorial in its program. With support from various sectors of the home furnishings industry, the event raised $102,000. Fundraising initiatives for the National Home Furnishings Industry will culminate with a Spirit of Life® dinner in April honoring Bob Sherman, CEO and president of Serta Mattress Company, and Jeffrey Seaman, co-founder of Rooms To Go, in High Point, N.C. — Cheryl Regan

Cruise for Hope honored Simon Kaplan.

Earl S. Kluft is a third-generation mattress maker who designed and created the original modern luxury mattress.

Members of the Northern California Real Estate & Construction (REC) Council raised the most funds in their group's history for City of Hope through their annual Spirit of Life® dinner in San Francisco in May 2011.

Constance B. Moore, president and chief executive officer of BRE Properties Inc., was honored with The Spirit of Life Award for her outstanding leadership and philanthropic contributions.

The event raised more than $653,000 to help battle cancer and other life-threatening diseases. During the program, attendees gave generously to raise $108,000 for a "fund-a-need" program, which helped City of Hope's Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation purchase important scientific and medical equipment.

In addition, guests listened to talks from cancer survivor Randy Everett and Tony Markel, vice chair of the Markel Corporation and national chair of the Power of Hope campaign.

The REC Council has raised nearly $4 million for research and treatment programs at City of Hope since 1986. — Laura Kim

Executives and supporters from the National Professional Salon Industry gathered recently to honor one of the business' most respected leaders and raise funds for City of Hope. Sara Jones, senior vice president and general manager of Joico, received The Spirit of Life® Award, City of Hope's highest philanthropic recognition. An audience of more than 600 celebrated Jones at the July gala, which raised more than $1.1 million for research and treatment programs at City of Hope.

"City of Hope's compassionate care and innovative science helps save lives," Jones said. "Joico and the salon industry join City of Hope in the fight against cancer. Together, I believe we can make an important difference in the lives of patients and families battling this devastating disease."

Actress and comedienne Aisha Tyler played host and provided entertainment at the event, which took place in Las Vegas during the Professional Beauty Association's Beauty Week. Joico's fundraising efforts incorporated mobile giving and the Web. One initiative enabled supporters to donate $10 to City of Hope from their cell phones via text message. Another — the online "Joi of Summer" fundraising drive — encouraged the hair-care brand's Facebook fans to give.

The National Professional Salon Industry has raised $13 million for City of Hope since its inception in 1981. — Laura Kim

Jeff Schwartz of the Cricket Company presented Joico's Sara Jones with The Spirit of Life Award.

Pat Snavely, Bimbo Bakeries regional manager of retail accounts, understands why it is important to back innovative cancer research: His brother was treated for the disease at City of Hope. His story of illness and survival was so moving that it inspired thousands of dollars in donations during the recent 19th annual Washington Golf Tournament.

City of Hope's Pacific Northwest Food Industries Circle and Darigold, one of the nation's leading dairy processors and a City of Hope partner for 22 years, hosted the sold-out event on June 20, 2011, raising $105,000 for lifesaving cancer research and treatment programs. The tournament was held at the Redmond Ridge golf course in Redmond, Wash. — Laura Kim

Pat Snavely, Bimbo Bakeries regional manager of retail accounts, inspired a sold-out crowd at the 19th annual Washington Golf Tournament.

PHOTOS: LESTER COHEN/WIRE IMAGE; GENE HWANG; COURTESY OF E.S. KLUFT & COMPANY; CASHMAN PRODUCTIONS; JAN ROBERTS