LOS ANGELES, CA — February 8, 2026 — City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, today announced that Greg Welchans, president and CMO, Distribution Management, will serve as campaign lead and 2026 Spirit of Life honoree for the National Business Products Industry. Welchans will help guide a yearlong philanthropic campaign that brings industry leaders together to support lifesaving cancer research, treatment, and care.
At the center of the 2026 campaign is a powerful idea rooted in what the NBPI does best: moving quickly, working collaboratively, and showing up for others. This year’s effort focuses on delivering hope together through shared leadership, peer-driven fundraising, and meaningful industry engagement.
City of Hope is honoring Welchans not only for his professional leadership, but also for his commitment to advancing the industry’s long-standing support of City of Hope and for building on the legacy of philanthropic leaders who have come before him, many of whom helped establish the NBPI’s enduring partnership with the organization.
The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s most prestigious philanthropic honor, celebrating leaders whose values, service, and generosity help fuel innovation and improve lives.
“Greg represents the very best of this industry: decisive, collaborative, and deeply committed to giving back,” said Joe Watterson, vice president, corporate philanthropy at City of Hope. “As this year’s Spirit of Life honoree, he is helping to unite a community that understands the power of moving together with urgency and purpose to deliver hope to patients and families facing cancer.”
Throughout 2026, companies and individuals will have multiple opportunities to participate in the campaign and support City of Hope’s mission: to make hope a reality for all facing cancer and diabetes. A portion of funds raised through this year’s effort will help advance cancer care for U.S. service members, veterans, and special forces, a population that faces higher rates of certain cancers, often at younger ages, than the general public. Through this campaign, the NBPI community is helping City of Hope, in collaboration with TGen, accelerate earlier detection and diagnosis, expand advanced genomic profiling to better understand cancer risk, and deliver personalized, leading-edge treatment options for those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country.
“I’m honored to serve as this year’s Spirit of Life honoree and to help lead a philanthropic campaign that reflects who we are as an industry,” said Welchans. “The NBPI has a long history of stepping up for City of Hope. This year is about continuing that legacy together and delivering hope where it’s needed most.”
Ways to Get Involved in the 2026 NBPI Spirit of Life campaign:
- Support the campaign through individual or corporate contributions
- Attend events throughout the year, bringing colleagues and peers together in support of City of Hope
- Engage your company or team through fundraising and partnership activations that amplify impact
A full calendar of upcoming NBPI Spirit of Life events is available at https://www.cityofhope.org/giving/national-business-products-industry/calendar-of-events.
More information about the 2026 campaign and participation opportunities can be found at: cityofhope.org/NBPI.