Creating Your Legacy of Hope

Walking through the halls of any City of Hope location, you might be greeted by a cold, wet nose and a wagging tail. Therapy animals are a special part of our healing journey. They bring comfort, companionship and unconditional love to our patients and their families.

Animals can profoundly impact well-being. Their presence helps reduce anxiety, lift spirits and bring a smile during tough times. At City of Hope, we believe in holistic care, including therapy animals of all kinds.

While therapy dogs are well-known for their loyalty and affection, they’re not the only creatures that can help. With their soothing purrs, gentle cats create a calming atmosphere that brings peace to those feeling overwhelmed. Adorable rabbits offer soft comfort, proving that even small animals can make a big difference.

City of Hope has a robust animal-assisted therapy program that brings comfort and joy to patients. Therapy animals like Oliver, a golden retriever who visits patients at City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta, bring comfort and joy to those facing serious illnesses.

These loyal companions make a real difference in patients’ lives. Did you know you can include your beloved pets in your will and legacy plans? By making thoughtful arrangements, you can ensure your furry friends are well cared for, just as they’ve always cared for you.

Every patient deserves a little love on their journey to wellness. With your support, we can continue to provide these heartwarming experiences. Together, we’re making a difference — one paw at a time.

Priscilla’s Mission to Fight Cancer

Priscilla grew up in the Midwest in a family that valued education and community service. She earned a degree in elementary education and enjoyed a rewarding career as a medical librarian. Driven by her passion for helping others, Priscilla established a scholarship for aspiring teachers at Mankato State University in Minnesota.

The roots of Priscilla’s mission to fight cancer were planted early in her life. Sadly, she lost four of her six female cousins to cancer before they turned 70. This heartbreaking loss fueled her determination to support cancer research and find better treatments. Her experience working as a medical librarian highlighted just how important research is in the fight against cancer.

After moving to California, Priscilla discovered City of Hope. She immediately felt a strong connection and became an early supporter and volunteer for the annual Palm Springs Hike 4 Hope fundraising event. She took on the lead role in organizing the registration of 500+ hikers on the day of the hike, helping it become a success. Now in its 27th year, Palm Springs Hike 4 Hope has raised approximately $3 million for cancer research since its inception. Priscilla’s dedication to the cause never wavered, even before she realized that City of Hope would one day become an important part of her own story.

A new chapter in Priscilla’s life began when she met Fred, a survivor of World War II and the concentration camps, who was well-known for his quick wit and resilience. Fred and Priscilla first met in 1976, and their shared values laid the foundation of their relationship. Over their 48 years together, they supported causes that mattered most to them, with cancer research becoming especially personal. Fred survived two battles with cancer at age 95, while Priscilla faced a
breast cancer diagnosis in 2018.

The exceptional care and support she received from City of Hope only strengthened her commitment to the organization. Her advocacy became even more personal, reinforcing her dedication to advancing cancer research, determined to help others avoid the pain she
and her family endured.

Fred’s remarkable life journey ended four months shy of his 100th birthday. Fred honored Priscilla’s patient experience with a $1 million gift to City of Hope in his estate plan. Priscilla is now considering including a legacy gift to City of Hope through her own plans as part of her mission to fight cancer and support women’s health. Together, Priscilla and Fred will make an enduring impact — touching lives and fostering hope and healing for generations to come.

The ABCs and DEs of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer. In many instances, it is not life-threatening and doesn’t spread to other parts of the body. The one exception is melanoma, the rarest and most aggressive form of skin cancer. In 2025, over 5 million nonmelanoma skin cancers, specifically basal and squamous cell cancers, are expected to be diagnosed.

As the summer brings longer days spent lounging in the sun, it’s important to prioritize skin health. Regularly checking your skin once a month can help identify any concerning changes early on. If you
notice any moles or skin changes — such as a sore that doesn’t heal, redness or new swelling or any alterations in sensation or surface texture — you should consult a medical professional. Taking these steps can lead to early detection and better outcomes, ensuring we remain aware about skin health.

City of Hope’s approach to treating skin cancer starts with a coordinated, multidisciplinary care team offering the best, most individualized treatment plan possible for each patient. We offer the newest therapies — including immunotherapies — and innovative treatment combinations that are effective for even the most advanced skin cancer and melanoma patients.

Understanding DNA Could Be the Key

Cancer begins in our genes. The keys to defeat it are in our DNA.

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) joined City of Hope in 2016, igniting a revolution in cancer medicine. TGen is focused on precision medicine, a rapidly evolving approach toward using an individual’s underlying genetic profile to guide clinical decisions, whether preventing, diagnosing or treating disease.

TGen’s technologies are helping to detect cancer earlier and make progress against hard-to-treat varieties, including pancreatic cancer, myeloma, brain tumors and others. Side by side, our medical teams and scientists provide:

Tabitha didn’t know what was wrong with her. At 35, Tabitha was a healthy, active schoolteacher and mom from California. She was shocked when doctors told her that after years of misdiagnosis, she had Stage 4 nonsmall cell lung cancer with metastases to her bones, liver, lymph nodes and brain. She had never smoked. Surprisingly, nearly 80% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer are not active smokers.

Tabitha chose City of Hope for her care. Under the care of Ravi Salgia, M.D., a nationally recognized lung cancer expert, Tabitha began an aggressive treatment plan. Genetic testing revealed a rare ALK+ mutation, allowing her to take a targeted therapy — developed in part by Dr. Salgia — that changed everything.

Soon, her tumors shrank. Her energy returned. And after a long, difficult journey, Tabitha heard the word she never expected — remission.

Today, Tabitha is thriving and raising awareness to ensure that others find the same hope, solace and treatment that she did. “City of Hope turned hope into my very own reality!” she said.

A Legacy Rooted in Science and Survival

For Carlotta Glackin, Ph.D., associate professor emeritus, Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, science and survival have always been deeply intertwined. As a researcher, teacher and ovarian cancer survivor, her journey has been one of resilience and unwavering purpose.

Over the course of more than 30 years, Carlotta built a distinguished career in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. But her time at City of Hope is more than professional — it is also personal. “As an ovarian cancer survivor, I know both sides,” she reflects. “I’d go in for treatment, then return to my lab. The nurses and staff were incredible. City of Hope truly is the best place for care.”

Now cancer-free for over 25 years, Carlotta has created a legacy — of science, of medicine and of City of Hope. “My mother passed away from breast cancer in 2010, and my sister is a survivor, too. It’s important to me to support the research that could lead to a cure.

To ensure that the next generation of scientists can carry the torch, Carlotta named City of Hope as a beneficiary of her trust. “I know how hard it is to get funding,” she says. “My gift will provide scholarships for graduate students — so the work I’ve devoted my life to can continue.”

Her legacy honors her life’s mission and ensures that future discoveries — and hope — will live on.

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Our easy-to-follow guides will help you create or update your will, trust,
power of attorney or other legal documents. You can be sure your assets
are distributed according to your wishes and the people and causes you care about are protected. A little planning today brings peace of mind tomorrow.

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 Pet’s Future and Your Peace of Mind, through the form on this page.