City of Hope is a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest honor bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope's research and treatment protocols advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope is located in Duarte, Calif., just northeast of Los Angeles, and is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics.

» Learn more about City of Hope

» City of Hope named official charity of the Northern Trust Open

Mission Statement
City of Hope, an innovative biomedical research, treatment, and educational institution, is dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, guided by a compassionate patient-centered philosophy, and supported by a national foundation of humanitarian philanthropy. City of Hope shares the Northern Trust Open's tradition of giving back, strengthening individuals, families and their communities through innovative and responsive philanthropic programs.

Since its inception nearly 100 years ago, City of Hope has helped patients and their families manage and conquer challenging diseases through compassionate patient care and groundbreaking research. This research makes a difference: Numerous breakthrough cancer drugs, including Herceptin, Rituxan and Avastin, are based on technology developed by City of Hope. Millions of people with diabetes worldwide benefit from synthetic human insulin developed through research conducted at City of Hope.

City of Hope is one of 40 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest designation bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of top cancer centers that defines and sets standards for cancer care nationally.

Compassion drives City of Hope's innovation. Every discovery and every new treatment gives patients everywhere the chance to live longer, better and more fully.

History
A world-class biomedical research, treatment and education institution, City of Hope was founded almost 100 years ago.

In 1913, a group of visionaries determined to cure diseases, end human suffering and heal those in need pitched two tents to care for the seriously ill in what is now Duarte, California. They came to call the place The City of Hope.

Hope was the soul of its existence then - and so it remains.

Over the years, City of Hope's physicians and scientists have been responsible for some of the most significant advances in modern medicine. They have offered insights that have reshaped the world's understanding of diseases. They have developed therapies that have improved millions of lives. They achieved scientific breakthroughs, set national standards, put their most creative thinking to the test, and succeeded.

Through it all - the discoveries, the expansions, the accomplishments and collaborations - City of Hope has cared for its patients and their loved ones with a compassion that is as exceptional as it is renowned.

Hope drove City of Hope's founders to dream big in the beginning - and it is what inspires City of Hope to dream even bigger today and into the future.

The Los Angeles Junior Chamber Charity Foundation
Founded in 1924, the mission of the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce is to empower young professionals of Greater Los Angeles through professional enrichment, leadership development and community service. The Junior Chamber Charity Foundation was established in 1949 to administer and expand the organization's community-based programs that serve more than 10,000 constituents throughout Los Angeles County annually. The Junior Chamber of Commerce and its Foundation strive to power the future of Los Angeles by providing a ready platform for young professionals to lead the way and build a legacy for future generations. One of the programs of the LA Junior Chamber Charity Foundation is:

The First Tee of Los Angeles
The mission of The First Tee of Los Angeles is to impact the lives of young people, especially those from underserved communities, by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. The program's focus is to establish a lifelong interest in golf by engaging young people in a structured golf curriculum that promotes personal character development within a physical education setting.

The First Tee of Los Angeles achieves this mission by reaching out to youth, ages 6 to 18, especially in communities where golf is traditionally not found - and providing them with professional instruction, discounted access to golf courses and practice facilities and property fitted equipment.

The curriculum uses TARGET Clinics and the Life Skills Experience™ to develop golfers. It also teaches junior golfers the Nine Core Values™ of The First Tee: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. With those values in mind, the junior golfers advance through the program's certified levels, PLAYer, Par, Birdie, Eagle and Ace, and learn how the skills essential for successful golf experiences can help them be successful in life. 

Members of The First Tee of Los Angeles receive a host of benefits. In addition to general instruction, participants learn rules, etiquette and pace of play through the Introduction to Competition Series. They can establish a USGA approved handicap through their GHIN club hosted by the Southern California Golf Association.

The experience goes well beyond golf instruction and play. Enrolled students are recognized for maintaining exceptional grades in school. Members are also invited to take part in educational scholarships, golf industry field trips, nutrition and fitness workshops, and volunteer projects; as well as, opportunities through The First Tee Network such as The First Tee Open, The First Tee Life Skills and Leadership Academy, the Future Leaders Forum and Scholars Program. Students can also invite a parent or guardian to share in the fun by participating in team events such as the Turkey Shoot, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Tournament, and other family golf events.

The program is offered at its home facility of Whittier Narrows and nine other affiliate sites in Los Angeles County. The First Tee of Los Angeles strives to maintain a membership that mirrors Los Angeles' demographic diversity. Since its inception, tens of thousands of children have participated in its numerous programs and classes; and more than 1,000 are expected to enroll in 2013. For more information visit: www.TheFirstTeeLA.org.

Click here to learn more about the LAJCC.

For a list of community partners, click here.

 Growing out of the Watts Riots, the inaugural L.A. Watts Summer Games were held in 1968 in the belief that through the spirit of high school athletic competition, better understanding and communications could be developed that would foster improved relations between young people of various ethnic, economic and geographic backgrounds throughout the city of Los Angeles. 

Since it's inception the L. A. Watts Summer  Games have positively affected over 185,000 high school student athletes by emphasizing sportsmanship, positive achievement and interaction though it's credo, which is recited prior to each game and put into practice throughout the eleven (11) sport competitions.  The value of fair play on the athletic field is promoted in an environment of goodwill which translates into valuable life lessons practiced in the every day lives of our City's youth.
Continuing relationships between inner city and suburban high school athletes, coaches and administrators can be directly attributed to the interactions that transpire during this two week-end city wide event.  In 2011, as part of the restructuring of The Games, new educational and motivational components are being introduced to benefit the athletes and their families.  College Campus Tours, Financial Aid Information, Mentoring Programs and College Scholarships will ensure the continuing relevance of The Games to one of our most precious community assets - the youth of Los Angeles.     

The Northern Trust Open is proud to support the men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces and their families through a variety of Birdies for the Brave military outreach activities that will be taking place throughout tournament week.

Highlights Include:
- Complimentary ticketing for active duty, reserve and military retirees and their dependents
- Discounted tickets for veterans
- Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost military hospitality chalet
- Military Caddie Program
- PGA TOUR Picnic

Military Ticketing
To show our appreciation to the courageous members of the military, the Northern Trust Open invites all active duty, reserve and military retirees and their dependents to join us at the tournament all week free of charge, with a valid military ID.  Discounted tickets are also available for veterans.  For more information and to obtain your military ticket(s), please visit www.BirdiesfortheBrave.org.

Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost presented by The Annenberg Foundation
We encourage all military members to join us at the Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost presented by The Annenberg Foundation, a hospitality venue located on the 10th green, dedicated exclusively to military members and their dependents, which will serve as their home base at the golf tournament. Open Wednesday through Sunday, The Patriots' Outpost will offer complimentary food and beverage.

Military Caddie Program:
During Wednesday's Pro-Am, active duty military will have the opportunity to caddie for PGA TOUR players for one hole.  This unique program enables our brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces to get up close and personal with their favorite PGA TOUR stars. 
If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact Kristi Fowlks at kristifowlks@pgatourhq.com

PGA TOUR Picnic at the Los Angeles VA Hospital:
For the third year in a row, Birdies for the Brave will host the PGA TOUR picnic on Tuesday of tournament week at the Los Angeles VA Hospital.  Annually hosted by NBA Hall of Famer, Jerry West, it is the tournament's opportunity to give back to veterans in the local community.

Birdies for the Brave is a national military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR. Originally created by TOUR player Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, Birdies for the Brave includes rehabilitative golf clinics and special opportunities for wounded warriors; military appreciation activities during TOUR events; and fundraising events held at TPC clubs nationwide -- an effort that has raised more than $7.5 million for military homefront groups that provide critical programs and services for military men and women and their families.

For more information on Birdies for the Brave military outreach please visit our website, www.birdiesforthebrave.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.