Industry rallies for City of Hope
Las Vegas -- One in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The hardware and home building industry are working to change those numbers.
The 2013 City of Hope Spirit of Life Celebration held here on the eve of the International Builders' Show marked the culmination of a year of fundraising. City of Hope’s Hardware and Homebuilding Industry (HHI) honored Joe DeAngelo, president and CEO of HD Supply, with its 2013 Spirit of Life Award.
The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious philanthropic honor, presented annually to an industry leader who has demonstrated outstanding business and altruistic achievement. City of Hope is a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.
During the year, fundraising efforts for the Southern California cancer treatment and research facility generated $800,000 for CIty of Hope. DeAngelo was the man of the hour during the banquet, accepting the 2013 Spirit of Life honor and chief fundraiser mantle from the 2012 honoree, Ray Griffith, retiring CEO of Ace Hardware Corp.
Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Its lifesaving research and treatment advances improve the lives of people around the nation, and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology pioneered at City of Hope. Further, its commitment to compassionate patient care and its approach to individualized treatment are considered models for supportive care in the United States.
In a speech referring to his trip to the City of Hope facility in California, DeAngelo said he was struck by the complete confidence of the staff, and the care they provide to patients. "Together, we're going to fight and cure these life threatening diseases," he said. "Tonight, we are a single team focused on making that happen."
DeAngelo served in a variety of executive roles at General Electric before joining Stanley Works where he was executive VP, responsible for its tools group and corporate-wide functions, including marketing, technology, operations and distribution. In 2003 he led the turnaround of the business, improving asset efficiencies and productivity that led to a 100% increase in share.
Paul Hylbert of Kodiak Building Partners; Bruce Merino, formerly of Home Depot; and Mark Baker, CEO of Orchard Supply Hardware also addressed the crowd of supporters from the hardware and home improvement industry. The industry over the years has raised some $150 million for City of Hope.
“We are privileged to honor Joe DeAngelo, whose leadership at HD Supply has been instrumental in a tremendous growth in business even during a weakened economic period,” said Al Olsen, senior director of development for City of Hope. “It is fitting that he receives The Spirit of Life Award, which recognizes an honoree’s outstanding leadership and contributions to the community and his profession. HD Supply has supported City of Hope and has made significant contributions through an annual event since they became the new company in 2007.”