On June 3, 2025, the grand ballroom of The Plaza Hotel played host to a deeply meaningful afternoon, as City of Hope’s East End Chapter/Jeanne Kaye League presented its highest honor, the Spirit of Life® Award, to NBC Today Show Lifestyle Correspondent Jill Martin. The annual luncheon brought together 380 guests for a cause that extends far beyond the New York social calendar. Nearly $800,000 was raised to support groundbreaking breast cancer research at City of Hope, one of the nation’s leading cancer treatment and research institutions.
The award presentation was delivered by Martin’s longtime friend and fellow media personality Kathie Lee Gifford. It was a full-circle moment, made all the more poignant by Martin’s own recent health milestone—what she described as her final surgery, just the week prior. Known for sharing her breast cancer journey publicly on The Today Show, Martin used the platform to once again raise awareness and emphasize the importance of early detection, encouraging attendees to “get checked” and to support the advancement of lifesaving research.
The Spirit of Life® Award is City of Hope’s most distinguished honor. It is reserved for individuals who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to improving the lives of others through medical innovation, compassionate care, and philanthropic leadership. Past recipients span industries and disciplines, yet all share a common thread: a belief in the potential for people to spark real, meaningful change. Jill Martin joins this esteemed group not only as a journalist and public figure but as someone who has lived the mission with courage and transparency.
Letitia Frye, the luncheon’s emcee and spirited auctioneer, energized the room with a live paddle raise. The signature moment has become a hallmark of this annual event, channeling generosity into immediate action. With each raised paddle, the impact of City of Hope’s research extended further—funding advancements that aim to rewrite outcomes for cancer patients and their families.
City of Hope’s East End Chapter/Jeanne Kaye League comprises 500 dynamic women across New York’s business, philanthropic, and cultural scenes. This volunteer fundraising group has worked for over four decades to drive progress in cancer research and care. Since its inception, the chapter has raised more than $14 million to support cutting-edge therapies, clinical trials, and the development of next-generation treatments.
Their work is more than charitable—it is transformative. Events like this year’s Spirit of Life® luncheon serve as powerful reminders that community-driven philanthropy can accelerate scientific breakthroughs and bring hope within reach for thousands of patients.