The 2024 Spirit of Life Award Luncheon is dedicated to the memory of Elayne "Honey" Cook.
THE SPIRIT OF LIFE AWARD
Annually, City of Hope's East End Chapter/Jeanne Kaye League presents the Spirit of Life Award
to individuals who exemplify the ideals and values that have guided
City of Hope for over a century and whose professional and humanitarian accomplishments are worthy of celebration. The honorees of the Spirit of Life Award represent all that embodies hope. Their grace and generosity serve as an inspiration and as a source of hope for those who need it most. Recipients of this prestigious award include a broad range of leaders from the world of business, entertainment, fashion, science and philanthropy. What connects them is a shared commitment to elevating the human condition and a profound belief in the power of each individual to effect change. City of Hope extends its heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to its Spirit of Life honorees, past and present.
ABOUT THE HONOREES
SUSAN LUCCI
The most famous face in daytime television history, Susan Lucci held audiences spellbound for over 40 years as the sexy, and sassy "woman you love to hate," Erica Kane, on ABC's award-winning daytime drama All My Children. In May of 1999, on her 19th nominations, she won the EMMY for "Best Actress," a historic moment for Lucci and all of television, receiving the longest standing ovation in television history. From 2013 to 2016, Lucci played the wealthy and effervescent socialite Genevieve Delatour on the hit Lifetime series Devious Maids and played the role of Danica in the 2015 Academy Award nominated film Joy.
Susan was also the host and narrator of Investigation Discovery's highly rated series Deadly Affairs. On January 28, 2005, Susan Lucci received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her tremendous impact on the entertainment industry. She has appeared in countless television series and competitions, including Hot in Cleveland, Army Wives, Dancing with The Stars, and Saturday Night Live. Her theater and cabaret credits include solo concerts across the country and nightclub performances opening for Regis Philbin. In her 1999 Broadway debut, Lucci starred as Annie Oakley in the revival of Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun, to glowing review. In March 2011, Lucci released her New York Times bestselling autobiography, All My Life with Harper Collins. A successful entrepreneur, Susan Lucci boasts collections of hair care products, jewelry, shoes, lingerie, and accessories, two fragrances, and a personal microdermabrasion system. Susan is currently on QVC with the "Pilates PRO Chair" after popularizing "Malibu Pilates," the widely popular Pilates chair fitness program. In 2018, she launched a namesake line of activewear apparel called the "Susan Lucci Collection" with QVC.
The Electronic Retailing Association has also recognized Susan for her achievements in direct response marketing with the DR Icon Award at the Moxie Awards Gala in 2014. In addition, Lucci is actively involved with United Cerebral Palsy of NYC and has worked with many other charities, including Little Flower Children Family Services of New York, the National AFib Campaign, March of Dimes, AMDeC (Academic Medicine Development Company), the New York Cancer Project, and the American Heart Association, of which she currently serves as the National Ambassador for the Go Red For Women Movement. Her countless honors and awards include serving as the second woman in the history of the New York City Columbus Day Parade to serve as Grand Marshal (the first was Sophia Loren) and as an ambassador for the National Women's Museum in Washington, DC; the Ellis Island Medal of Honor; the New York City Gracie Award; the Muse Award for Women in Film & Television; the Italian Board of Guardians Lifetime Achievement Award; and the Disney Legends Award. She was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
She was named one of E! Entertainment's "Top Entertainers of the Year" and one of the late broadcast legend Barbara Walters' "Ten Most Fascinating People." VH-1 has also named Lucci one of its "200 Top Icons of all Time."
KATHY MURRAY
With over $1,000,000,000 in sales volume Kathy is recognized as one of the top brokers in New York City. Highly respected by some of the city's most prolific real estate developers and biggest real estate investors, Kathy's expertise spans new development and condo conversions, coop and condo resales and townhome sales.
Kathy is ranked within the top 1% of brokers nationwide. Her many awards include being recognized by the Real Deal as one of the 'Top 50 Brokers in NYC', the coveted Pinnacle Award from Douglas Elliman from 2013 through 2020 which recognizes the top producing brokers in the industry and she is also consistently ranked as one of the Top 5 Producing Teams in her UWS office. Kathy's awards reflect her passion for her work and unwavering commitment to her clients: "I listen to what people want, whether it's what they want to achieve in a sale or what they are looking for in a new home -and I work tirelessly to achieve that goal."
A global broker with a strong local presence, she has presented new developments to overseas investors in Asia and coordinated presentations in countries in South America including Brazil. Notable publications frequently rely on Kathy for her unique expertise, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, New York Observer, New York Post, Fox News and The Real Deal. Some of the city's most prominent real estate developers have listed their developments with Kathy, including Aby Rosen of RFR. Kathy oversaw the 99 unit condo conversion of 300 E 64th St for RFR and she was responsible for the successful sell out of the entire building.
A native New Yorker who grew up in a real estate family, Kathy got a taste for deal making at a young age, when she began buying, renovating and flipping apartments while still in her twenties. Moving into brokerage over 15 years ago, she was one of the first agents to start using video for her property profiles, a cutting edge marketing innovation that allowed her to thrive in the otherwise challenging market of 2008. She has refined the art of marketing properties, using a highly specialized team of contractors, stagers, decorators, and professional photographers. With an unparalleled knowledge of the industry, Kathy prepares a customized, multi-channel creative marketing plan for each new property.
After more than a decade as a broker, Kathy's greatest pride - beyond her numerous awards - is the fact that many of her original clients continue to buy and resell with her. They accept nothing short of her personal touch and excellent attention to detail. Kathy resides on the Upper West Side with her son and daughter. In her spare time she enjoys biking, working out and exploring the magic of New York City with her family. Kathy is always keeping an eye on investment opportunities for her clients in the ever-changing NYC landscape.
Please mail all payments made by personal or foundation checks to the following address:
City of Hope | ATTN: EEC Spirit of Life | 1500 E Duarte Rd. Duarte, Ca 91010
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 AccessHope. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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