Left to Right: Kevin O’Connor (Samson Marketing), Farida Kathwari, Farooq Kathwari (Ethan Allen Global, Inc.), Richard Feng (Markor Group), Iris Liu, Mark Feng, Robert Stone (City of Hope), Chuck Reilly (AICO)

The recent Spirit of Life Award Dinner honoring two preeminent leaders of the furniture industry – Farooq Kathwari, chairman and CEO of Ethan Allen and Richard Feng, founder, chairman and CEO of Markor Group – raised more than $1.8 million for cancer and diabetes research at City of Hope on Sunday, April 17 at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, NC. The prestigious Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s highest accolade, presented annually to industry leaders in recognition of their outstanding personal, professional and philanthropic achievements.

City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Its breakthrough research has led to therapies that have benefited millions of people worldwide.

“We are at the dawn of momentous breakthroughs in how we prevent, treat, and cure, cancer and diabetes,” said Robert Stone, president and CEO of City of Hope. “We are grateful for the partnership and dedication of this year’s honorees, Mr. Kathwari and Mr. Feng, for their tremendous outreach and personal support of our research programs.”

"It is a great honor to receive The Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope together with my good friend Richard Feng,” said Farooq Kathwari of Ethan Allen, “City of Hope is making groundbreaking research discoveries in the fight against cancer and other life-threatening diseases".

Added Richard Feng of Markor Group: “To me, City of Hope represents a greater hope for those battling cancer. As a global industry, we have the opportunity to make a deep impact on research that helps patients and their families worldwide.”

In addition to the awards ceremony, the program included remarks by Bart Roep, M.D., Ph.D., world-renowned diabetes immunologist, new to City of Hope’s Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, who spoke about City of Hope’s vision for discovering cures for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Chuck Reilly, executive vice president at AICO, announced the industry group’s new name, the International Home Furnishings Industry, reflecting the diversity and global footprint of the industry’s support for City of Hope. Also at the event’s VIP reception, City of Hope surprised John Haste, Surya, with the Volunteer of the Year award for his leadership in creating the inaugural Atlanta Market day of giving for City of Hope. Kevin O’Connor, former president of Samson Marketing, chairs the organization’s annual Spirit of Life Award Dinner campaign, responsible for leading the fundraising efforts within the industry and honoree companies.

(Source: furninfo.com)