Frank Kaufman of Moss Adams and Kevin Sullivan of Wells Fargo Capital Finance have both been involved with helping to raise funds for the City of Hope and its cancer research and treatment efforts for many years.
On Friday Nov. 8th, they’ll be the honorees at a “Black and Blues Ball” fundraiser by the City of Hope’s Fashion and Retail Group. The event will be held at the Grove in Anaheim and headlined by blues legend Robert Cray, with an opening set by Orange County bluesman Brother Yusef and some special industry-music collaborations that they’ve set up. www.cityofhope.org/fashion/sol
We talked with Kevin and Frank about their involvement with City of Hope, moving the annual fundraiser to Orange County for the first time, and what they hope to build.
Why did you get involved with City of Hope?
Frank: When you start hearing about what City of Hope has done, it just blows you away. Take the fact that they invented insulin, that’s something that touches everybody who knows someone with diabetes.
City of Hope is doing innovative things that will give patients a shot at life, and that’s a huge part of it. When they’re treating patients, they also provide support for the whole family through their Family Resource Center. Patients there don’t just see their oncologist, they see a host of related specialists that provide comprehensive care. Their world class research facilities are amazing, leading to many discoveries that will help multiple generations to come.
I don’t know if it’s one-of-a-kind, but I can guarantee you there aren’t 5 like it in the country.
Kevin: The key thing is, City of Hope has combined a research facility and a hospital, and what they’re able to do better than any other organization, is bring drugs to market to battle cancer. They are equipped to perform drug trials more quickly. And they apply non-traditional techniques to cancer patients that are being copied by other organizations.
For instance, they’ll bring in counselors, and they have artists on staff to work with patients to take their minds off what they’re dealing with. They are finding that the improved outlook of the patients improves their chances of battling cancer.
I’ve been involved with City of Hope for a dozen years, and Frank has been involved even longer than that.
Frank: In 1983 I joined what was then known as the Professions and Finance Associates for the City of Hope. I got involved with City of Hope, just like with SIMA and IASC, because it is a good cause. It was inspiring to be working on a fundraising committee with people that during the day were competitors, yet for this cause we all were working together for a common goal.
Kevin: You get approached by a lot of charitable organizations for some level of donation and involvement, and over the years you vet which ones make the most sense to you and that you’re willing to fight for.
Once you go on the City of Hope tour, you get it. This organization is something you become passionate about.
So, what’s on tap for the big night at the Grove?
Frank: Robert Cray! He’s one of the best blues guitarists, and Brother Yusef, a great local acoustic blues guitarist.
Kevin: A lot of times at these events, your headliner will come out and kind of go through the motions for three or four songs. Not this time. Robert Cray is doing a full, 90-minute concert.
Frank: Doors open at 7:00pm. Before you go in, you pull up into the parking lot, and there will be the Travis Matthews bus with their special flair. We’ll have casino gaming tables inside, where you play with chips for an opportunity drawing and prizes, and then the Robert Cray band playing for the rest of the evening.
What’s your goal for the night?
Frank: We’re hoping to get 500 people . For this to be a success, we need to let OC industry folks know about the incredibly great things the City of Hope accomplishes, and do it in a very un-stuffy way.
Kevin: We hope to raise somewhere between $750,000 and $1,000,000.
Frank: For me, it’s a big deal. I believe the City of Hope Fashion & Retail Group is making a huge leap of faith by moving this event to Orange County. I hope my OC brethren come out in force.
Kevin: Let’s back up: They’re making a huge leap of faith by making us the honorees.
From Kathleen Talbot, City of Hope:
About the 2013 Spirit of Life Award Dinner
Kevin & Frank’s vision this year is to raise funds for City of Hope and celebrate the many accomplishments of the past 100 years. This year’s event is a “Black & Blues Ball,” featuring live musical entertainment by five-time Grammy Award winning blues icon Robert Cray.
The night will be an upscale extended cocktail party featuring specialty cocktails, tray passed appetizers, buffet dinner stations and live musical entertainment.
The event will be held on Friday, November 8, 2013 at the Grove of Anaheim, a unique concert venue in the Southland. In true “Black and Blues Ball” theme, the attire is black-tie/cocktail on top, denim blues on bottom. For our most dedicated guests, there will be a room block at the Ayres Hotel with shuttle to and from the event. Call the Ayres by Oct. 18, at 714-634-2106, to reserve your room. Reference group code CI1108 or City of Hope.
To register today, please visit our website.
About City of Hope
This year mark’s City of Hope’s centennial anniversary, founded in 1913 by a small group of working class men and women from the Los Angeles garment district. They made it their mission to help those in need of compassionate, innovative medical care. Today, the City of Hope and the Fashion & Retail Group remain focused on that mission.
City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center committed to transforming the future of health. We know we can do it. We already have.
• City of Hope has helped develop medicines benefitting nearly 100 million people each year, including four of the top cancer drugs.
• City of Hope collaborates with more than 400 institutions on more than 500 projects.
• City of Hope has 35 novel therapies in our drug pipeline to support our first-in-human clinical trials.
• City of Hope has conducted over 11,000 bone marrow transplants, representing an additional 30,000 years of life.
Click here for more on City of Hope and our history.
