City of Hope Readies West Coast Golf, Tennis Event

April 25, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on April 26, 2012

City of Hope has been at the forefront of researching treatments for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases for nearly 100 years. One of the world's top cancer research hospitals, City of Hope has treated thousands of patients, including many from the home furnishings industry. Not all of them tell their stories publicly, but a member of the West Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament Committee has become a spokesperson for City of Hope and a passionate supporter.

Craig Staack is a 30-year veteran of our industry and is currently vice president of leasing at the World Market Center in Las Vegas. He has built a reputation as a successful businessman, a hard worker with high ethical standards, and a problem-solver. But Staack would be the first to admit his doctor's diagnosis of prostate cancer in August, 2010 was one problem that seemed to defy an easy solution. 

"After overcoming the initial emotional turmoil that accompanies any cancer diagnosis, I spent days researching, networking in the medical community and speaking with other cancer survivors," Staack said. "I coped by staying busy and learning as much as I could about the various treatment options."

His research led him to the decision that surgery was the proper treatment plan for his type of cancer, and when City of Hope kept appearing in his research of qualified facilities, Staack referred himself, was accepted as a patient and then met with the doctor he requested.  

"In making the decision to use City of Hope for my treatment also very important was the fact that City of Hope was the leader in the field of robotic-assisted, minimally-invasive surgeries, utilizing the state-of-the-art Da Vinci Robot," Staack said. "My doctor had actually trained numerous other physicians on the use of the Da Vinci for surgery."

The outcome of  his surgery was successful, and as a cancer survivor now enjoying excellent health, he further extols the merits of City of Hope.

"When you think of hospitals, 'customer service' usually doesn't come to mind, but I can tell you firsthand that at City of Hope it is ALL about the customer-the patient," he said. "I always felt like a person and not once like a number."

Everyone's lives are touched by cancer, diabetes and other diseases that are at the core of City of Hope's research efforts. Staack's status as cancer free should give his peers throughout the industry cause to support City of Hope.

The National Home Furnishings Industry chapter will once again host its annual West Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament to raise money for City of Hope. Set for Monday, June 4 at the Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club in Orange County, California, the event will honor the Levitz family.

To register for golf, tennis or dinner and be part of the West Coast's premier industry event, contact Yolanda Guerrero at 213-241-7168 or e-mail her.