Stevie Nicks Shares Private Cancer Connection, Then Delivers ‘Landslide’ Finale

Stevie Nicks revealed a deeply personal tie to City of Hope before closing the organization’s star-studded gala with “Landslide.” The rock icon said four people close to her have received treatment at City of Hope facilities.

Nicks urged the audience to support City of Hope at the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) Gala, held Oct. 27 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. The event honored Primary Wave Music founder and CEO Larry Mestel.

Stevie Nicks’ City of Hope Moment

Nicks shared the connection just before performing “Landslide,” which ended the evening. Her remarks encouraged guests to back City of Hope’s work in cancer research and treatment.

Fellow performers included Melissa Etheridge and Jackson Browne. Etheridge, a breast cancer survivor, said, “When you’ve faced cancer yourself, you understand just how much hope matters.”

Spirit of Life Award Honors Mestel

City of Hope presented Mestel with its Spirit of Life Award, the organization’s highest philanthropic honor. He led a yearlong campaign supporting CAR T cell therapy, other cellular immunotherapies and breast cancer research and care.

The live auction opened with a surprise donation of a signed Stevie Nicks Mattel Belladonna Barbie doll. Other items included a signed guitar from Pete Townshend’s collection and a Hawaiian golf and dinner experience with Alice Cooper.

Mestel said raising millions of dollars for City of Hope was an incredible honor. Evan Lamberg, chairman of City of Hope’s MFEI board, said the industry’s philanthropic legacy has generated more than $180 million in support of the organization.