newportbeachindy . com APRIL 28 , 2023 7
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
Let ’ s Be Frank About Cancer Gala at Balboa Bay Resort Raises $ 530K for City of Hope
left : Cancer survivor and philanthropist Frank Di Bella ; right : Hope 2 : Kelly Roberts , vice chairman and chief operating officer of The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa , and Amrita Krishnan , M . D ., hematologist at City of Hope Orange County
By NB Indy Staff Cancer survivor and philanthropist Frank Di Bella brought together community leaders , philanthropists , other cancer survivors , and City of Hope supporters for the ninth annual “ Let ’ s Be Frank About Cancer ” gala that took place on March 18 at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport
Beach , raising funds for City of Hope ’ s life-saving cancer research and programs .
The evening saluted Orange County ’ s many cancer champions and was capped by honoring noted Orange County philanthropists and “ Keepers of the Inn ” of the Mission Inn in Riverside , Kelly and Duane Roberts , with the Frank Di Bella
Dr . Pal , co-director of the Kidney Cancer Program at City of Hope , focuses his work on understanding how cancers develop and metastasize , predicting cancer recurrence , and improving treatments with fewer side effects .
“ I am so honored that so many people came to support Let ’ s Be Frank About Cancer ,” Di Bella said . “ Thanks to the help of these contributions from private individuals and local businesses , City of Hope and Dr . Pal can continue to provide the ultimate care , leading-edge research and most importantly , HOPE , to patients like me . And now , with City of Hope right here in Orange County , even more local lives will be impacted .”
Di Bella was diagnosed with metastatic bladder cancer in 2011 and was given only months to live . After seeking care from Dr . Pal at City of Hope , he is still thriving . Twelve years later and Di Bella credits Dr . Pal for saving his life , and has made it his mission to support City of Hope ’ s ongoing research efforts .
The event raised more than $ 530,000 for City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center and cancer
Humanitarian Award .
Since its inception in 2015 , the black-tie gala has raised more than $ 9 million for City of Hope . Funds from the event will support research by oncologist Sumanta K . Pal , M . D ., who treated Di Bella at City of Hope in Duarte and now at City of Hope Orange County . CITY OF HOPE Page 8
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