Creating Your Legacy of Hope

Recent Discovery Could Help Those Who Battle Diabetes

Promising research results show a 700% increase in insulin-producing cells in mice!

City of Hope researchers have made an exciting discovery that could help people with diabetes. They found that combining a natural compound called harmine, found in the ayahuasca plant, with popular drugs like Ozempic could help the body produce more insulin by stabilizing blood sugar levels.

For those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, this research is particularly promising. Diabetes often requires daily insulin injections or medications to keep blood sugar in check. However, this new treatment could allow the body to regrow the cells needed to produce insulin naturally, reducing the reliance on medications over time. Although the treatment was tested in mice, scientists are hopeful that future studies in humans could lead to better diabetes management.

It’s important to note that this research and clinical trials are still in its early stages, and more studies are needed to make sure it’s safe. The potential to improve insulin production and reduce the burden of daily medications is an exciting possibility. If these results are confirmed in humans, it could lead to a breakthrough in how diabetes is treated.

Detecting Cancer Early

Detecting or preventing cancer early can significantly improve patient survival, quality of life and the possibility of achieving a cure. Unfortunately, many cancers don’t present symptoms until they reach advanced stages, making early intervention challenging.

At City of Hope’s Center for Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Monitoring, Cristian Tomasetti, Ph.D., and a team of researchers are pioneering transformative technology with the ambitious goal of making every cancer preventable and curable. Achievements include:

• Predictive Cancer Risk Technology: This tool maps each patient’s unique cancer risk based on their DNA, offering insights into which cancers they may be more susceptible to, enabling personalized prevention strategies.
• Multicancer Blood Tests: Designed as annual screening tools, these tests can detect a range of cancers, including hard-to-detect types at early, treatable stages.
• Precision Cancer Monitoring: By closely tracking each patient’s response to treatment, this technology can identify signs of recurrence long before symptoms arise, enabling timely intervention.

Through its Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and expertise in immunotherapy and biologics, as well as a clinical network, City of Hope is advancing research to save lives today while holding the potential to transform cancer care in the future.

Bone Marrow Transplant Success

Bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones, makes the blood cells our bodies need to fight infections, carry oxygen and stop bleeding. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can damage bone marrow, but stem cell or bone marrow transplants can restore healthy blood cells.

These transplants are lifesaving treatments for blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, as well as some other cancers.

City of Hope has performed nearly 20,000 bone marrow and stem cell transplants since 1976, making us the nation’s largest and most successful program. With innovative treatments, lifelong care and community support, City of Hope is helping patients thrive — like Aruna. Read more about Aruna’s Journey of Hope here.

City of Hope holds a distinction as one of the first in the nation to perform bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Our accredited program is now one of the largest and most successful bone marrow transplant centers in the nation and has been recognized by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research Center for its exceptional survival rates.

Aruna’s Journey of Hope

When wife and mother of two, Aruna, heard the words “acute leukemia,” her world came crashing down. In the face of a grim diagnosis, Aruna and her husband made difficult and courageous decisions in order to make the journey across the world, from Delhi, India to City of Hope, to find treatment for her. Against the odds, and with the precious gift of her brother’s bone marrow, Aruna beat cancer.

Nearly 40 years later, Aruna is a living testament to the power of hope, family and City of Hope’s lifesaving care.

“City of Hope was one of the few cancer research hospitals in the world with a reputable BMT program with donations and grants to undertake this expensive treatment for eligible and willing patients.”

Grateful beyond words, Aruna and Umesh have deepened their gratitude by establishing a charitable gift annuity through an IRA. Not only does this provide them with lifetime income, but it also supports groundbreaking cancer research for future patients.

Empathy in Action

Patients are at the center of everything we do at City of Hope. Adeboye “Boye” Ogunseitan, M.D., M.S., the new chief of the Division of Supportive Medicine, is here to ensure that every patient receives care that goes beyond medicine.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and trained at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Ogunseitan brings both personal insight and professional expertise to his work. His experience with a friend’s battle with osteosarcoma ignited his passion for supportive care — an approach that addresses not just physical symptoms, but also the emotional and psychological challenges that patients and families face during treatment.

Under his leadership, City of Hope’s Supportive Medicine team is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for patients at any stage of their treatment. For patients, this means being treated with dignity, empathy and support, no matter their prognosis — values that are at the heart of City of Hope’s mission.

Radiating With Hope

In City of Hope’s oncology unit, Riley Lamora’s, B.S.N., R.N., unwavering compassion and energy shine brightly. Her passion for oncology began early, inspired by her grandfather’s cancer treatment at City of Hope. Riley is known for her compassion and energy as she supports children and young adults facing cancer. Her colleague Michael Ilagan calls her “Smiley Riley,” not just for her positivity, but for her unwavering advocacy. “She is the voice for her patients, guiding them through their cancer journey,” he says.

Riley’s passion for her young patients is special — from creating fun games that help with treatment to organizing hundreds of toy donations for an annual parade — she brings heart and energy to everything she does. Her efforts earned her awards and accolades throughout her career.

Despite the emotional highs and lows, Riley treasures moments of hope, like hearing the end-of-treatment bell ring. “All cancer fighters are warriors,” she says. “Ten years from now, I’ll still be here, advocating for my patients and celebrating their victories.”

Grateful for the Gift of Time

“City of Hope is a place that saves lives,” says Chuck O’Shea, a Non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor. Chuck’s diagnosis was devastating for him and his wife, Eileen. Early visits to other doctors left them uncertain about his care. Everything changed when a friend, a nurse at City of Hope, introduced them to Auayporn Nademanee, M.D., aka ‘Dr. Nadee.’

“The instant we met Dr. Nadee, we knew we had found my doctor,” says Chuck. Dr. Nadee recommended immunotherapy, an innovative treatment at the time. “City of Hope doctors don’t settle for standard treatment. They conduct research that helps patients thrive, not just survive.” Chuck has been in remission since 2010.

Grateful for the compassionate care they received, Chuck and Eileen decided to include a gift in their trust to ensure future patients benefit from lifesaving treatments like CAR T cell therapy. “We want our gift to help drive research that changes the face of cancer treatment,” explains Chuck.

Chuck has also become a City of Hope volunteer, fulfilling a promise he made during his treatment. He now serves as a “blue shirt” volunteer and as a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate,” adds Eileen. “Every contribution makes a difference. We’re committed to doing what we can to help find cures.”

One Way to Maximize Your Benefits and Tax Savings

If you’re 70 ½ or older, you can use the power of your IRA to create a charitable gift
annuity through a tax-free qualified charitable distribution (QCD) of up to $54,000. It may also count toward your required minimum distribution and offers secure, lifetime payments at rates as high as 10.1%.

You can support breakthrough treatments and research now and receive tax benefits
with a QCD from your IRA.

This one-time gift offers you financial security and fuels the care, hope and innovative research at City of Hope. If you’re interested in learning more or curious about your exact rate and benefits from a charitable gift annuity, please contact us at (800) 232-3314 for a no-obligation, personalized benefits illustration.

Request Your Free Information

Our guides will help you create or update your will, trust, power of attorney documents and beneficiary designations to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes.

Planning provides you with multiple benefits, including:

Download your free guides, Imagine a Cure for Every Patient – Your Gift for the Future and Planning for Your Future and Peace of Mind, through the form on this page.