Metropolis of Hope Spirit of Life® Raised $3.7 million with Honorees’ Boosts at Gala

Furnishings World Information Desk on

4/30/2025

Spirit of Life 2025 Gala Honorees.

Metropolis of Hope’s Worldwide House Furnishings Business group and this yr’s Spirit of
Life^® honorees from American Signature/Worth Metropolis
Furnishings and Manwah Holdings raised $3.7 million for Metropolis of
Hope^®, because the honorees stunned attendees on the annual gala
on April 27 by pledging an extra $1 million every throughout their speeches.

Business professionals gathered on the annual Spirit of Life gala held on the 4
Seasons Sheraton, to acknowledge Jay Schottenstein, chairman of American Signature Furnishings/Worth Metropolis Furnishings,
and Dr. Man Li Wong, chairman of Manwah Holdings. Metropolis of Hope is likely one of the
largest most cancers analysis and therapy organizations within the U.S. and a number one analysis middle for diabetes and
different life-threatening sicknesses. The Worldwide House Furnishings Business group has been Metropolis of
Hope’s philanthropic companion since 1965 and has raised over $100 million. 

Highlighting generational bonds and help usually discovered within the furnishings business, each Spirit of Life honorees had been
launched by their kids who’re additionally leaders of their respective corporations. Each households exemplified the
values of giving again with a give attention to supporting well being and training.

Zoe Wong, govt director of Manwah Holdings, launched her father, Dr. Wong, and described how he constructed the
firm from the bottom up from his humble beginnings as a manufacturing unit line employee in Hong Kong to at the moment’s 15
factories around the globe and retail shops in Asia. 

Accepting the glory, Dr. Wong mentioned he was impressed by all of the work Metropolis of Hope does and its dedication to deliver
hope and the very best remedies to individuals worldwide. He then went “off script,” as his translating daughter
mentioned, and wowed the viewers by donating $1 million on high of Manwah’s underwriting sponsorship and help.

Honoree Schottenstein was launched by his son, Jonathan, president of American Signature Furnishings/Worth Metropolis
Furnishings, a fourth-generation family-owned and family-led enterprise based within the Thirties. The Schottenstein household
has made vital contributions to healthcare, together with most cancers analysis, cardiovascular analysis and psychological
well being.

“Earlier than being an honoree, I didn’t notice the nationwide impression of Metropolis of Hope. The partnership of IHFI
and Metropolis of Hope is actually symbiotic, and I’m proud to be related with the Metropolis of Hope. Dr. Wong set a excessive bar,
and our household will match his reward,” mentioned Schottenstein, because the viewers rose to their ft as they did
following Wong’s reward announcement.

Earlier in this system, Dr. Harlan Levine, Metropolis of Hope’s president of well being innovation and coverage, shared
affected person tales for example the developments in robotics and genomics, together with the exceptional story of business
veteran Michael Burton, who’s the primary and solely recipient of back-to-back stem cell transplant with a
time-advanced introduction of CAR T-cell remedy. He couldn’t attend the gala however was represented by his son,
Michael Burton, Jr.

The Spirit of Life committee and Metropolis of Hope acknowledges and thanks the 2025 Spirit of Life high
sponsors:

Presenting Sponsors $100,000

• American Signature Furnishings/Worth Metropolis Furnishings
• Rooms To Go

Underwriting Sponsor $70,000

Honoree Circle Sponsors $50,000

• Ashley Furnishings
• LS Direct
• Manwah Holdings

Diamond Sponsors $25,000 

• Amini Innovation Company
• Baer’s Furnishings
• Berkshire Hathaway Group (Nebraska Furnishings Mart, Jordan’s Furnishings, RC Willey and Star Furnishings)
• CITY Furnishings
• Basic House
• Darvin Furnishings
• Flexsteel
• Furnishings Mart
• Haverty’s
• Hooker Furnishings
• J.B. Hunt Closing Mile
• Jofran
• KUKA House
• La-Z-Boy
• Liberty Furnishings
• Mattress Agency
• Najarian Furnishings
• Raymour & Flanigan
• Samson
• Tempur Sealy

To be taught extra in regards to the business’s subsequent flagship fundraising occasion, the West Coast Golf, 
Tennis & Pickleball Match, and to register on-line, click on right here
or ship an e-mail to [email protected].

About Metropolis of Hope

 Metropolis of Hope’s mission is to make hope a actuality for all touched by most cancers and diabetes. Based in 1913, Metropolis of Hope has grown into one of many largest most cancers
analysis and therapy organizations within the U.S. and one of many main analysis facilities for diabetes and different
life-threatening sicknesses. Metropolis of Hope analysis has been the idea for quite a few
breakthrough most cancers medicines, in addition to human artificial insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With
an unbiased, Nationwide Most cancers Institute-designated complete most cancers middle at its core, Metropolis of Hope brings a
uniquely built-in mannequin to sufferers spanning most cancers care, analysis and improvement, teachers and coaching, and
innovation initiatives. Metropolis of Hope’s rising nationwide system consists of its Los Angeles campus, a community of
medical care areas throughout Southern California, a brand new most cancers middle in Orange County, California, and most cancers
therapy facilities and outpatient services within the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. Metropolis of Hope’s
affiliated group of organizations consists of Translational Genomics
Analysis Institute and AccessHope^TM. For extra data
about Metropolis of Hope, observe us on Fb, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Worldwide House Furnishings Business

 Impressed by the guiding humanitarian rules of Metropolis of Hope, one of many largest most cancers analysis and therapy
organizations within the U.S. and a number one analysis middle for diabetes and different life-threatening sicknesses, and
motivated by the establishment’s dedication to revolutionary medical analysis and compassionate affected person care, a bunch of
key business executives based Metropolis of Hope’s Worldwide House Furnishings Business (IHFI) group in
1965. 

In its 50-plus-year historical past, the group has raised over $100 million for Metropolis of Hope and has honored a few of the most
influential figures within the residence furnishings business. With a practice of uniting professionals from across the
world, IHFI represents a neighborhood of executives, professionals and colleagues in each section of the house
furnishings class, together with retailers, producers, gross sales representatives, suppliers and related service
suppliers.

The Spirit of Life Award is Metropolis of Hope’s most prestigious honor and is introduced to an esteemed
neighborhood of business leaders around the globe who’ve made a big dedication to bettering the lives of
others by means of the development of analysis and medical innovation and the supply of personalised, compassionate
care.   

Previous honorees embrace Martin Ploy of AICO, Andrew Koenig of CITY Furnishings, Rick Anderson, Larry Klaben of Morris
Furnishings Co. Inc., Michael Amini, and Todd and Ron Wanek of Ashley Furnishings, to call just a few.