RevitaLash Cosmetics founder named City of Hope 2027 Spirit of Life honoree

Beauty industry invited to rally behind Brinkenhoff as RevitaLash marks 20 years of giving and pursues $20 million milestone for breast cancer initiatives

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- City of Hope, one of the nation's largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations, has named Michael Brinkenhoff, M.D., founder and CEO of RevitaLash^® Cosmetics, its 2027 National Beauty Industry (NBI) Spirit of Life^® honoree, calling on the beauty community to rally behind a physician, entrepreneur and philanthropist whose deeply personal commitment to breast cancer has grown into a 20-year global mission.

The honor comes as RevitaLash Cosmetics celebrates its 20th anniversary and works toward a milestone of $20 million in total impact for breast cancer initiatives. Through the Spirit of Life campaign, beauty brands, executives and industry partners will have an opportunity to build on that legacy by supporting City of Hope's lifesaving cancer research and compassionate, whole-person care — ending cancer together by creating beautiful possibilities.

Dr. Brinkenhoff will be honored at the NBI Spirit of Life Gala on Jan. 14, 2027, at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. The gala will culminate the 2027 Spirit of Life campaign, bringing the industry together around a shared belief in the power of beauty to restore confidence, express care and create possibility for people facing cancer.

"Dr. Brinkenhoff understands that beauty can be more than what the world sees — it can restore confidence and create possibility during one of life's hardest moments," said Kristin J. Bertell, chief philanthropy officer at City of Hope. "That deeply human perspective, paired with his enduring commitment to research, makes him a natural Spirit of Life honoree. His leadership gives the beauty industry a meaningful way to come together and help turn generosity into new possibilities for people facing cancer."

A board-certified ophthalmologist with more than 30 years of medical experience, Dr. Brinkenhoff founded RevitaLash Cosmetics in 2006, inspired by his wife Gayle's battle with metastatic breast cancer. What began as an effort to help Gayle feel beautiful and confident during treatment grew into a globally recognized beauty brand now sold in more than 70 countries — and a platform through which Brinkenhoff could advance the cause that inspired its creation.

Over the past 20 years, RevitaLash Cosmetics has donated more than $14 million to cancer research and charities globally. In 2026 alone, the company has donated more than 13,000 products to nonprofit cancer charities and cancer initiatives worldwide, extending its commitment to confidence and well-being among people impacted by cancer.

"Gayle was the inspiration for RevitaLash and the reason giving back to the breast cancer community has been part of our purpose from the very beginning," Dr. Brinkenhoff said. "As we celebrate 20 years, the Spirit of Life campaign gives us an extraordinary opportunity to bring the beauty industry together around that purpose. With the support of our colleagues and partners, we can build on what we have accomplished and help City of Hope bring greater hope to even more patients and families."

Dr. Brinkenhoff and RevitaLash Cosmetics have already established a meaningful partnership with City of Hope. The company established the two-year, $286,000 Gayle Brinkenhoff Excellence in Cancer Research Award to support research toward more effective cancer treatments. The annual Gayle Brinkenhoff Breast Cancer Symposium at City of Hope also brings researchers and clinicians together to exchange knowledge and accelerate progress in breast cancer research.

That commitment aligns closely with City of Hope's approach to cancer research and treatment. Some of the world's leading cancer drugs have emerged from City of Hope laboratories, where research, clinical studies and patient care work side by side to help move promising discoveries toward patients. City of Hope also brings together multidisciplinary breast cancer specialists across medical, surgical and radiation oncology to develop individualized treatment approaches, including for complex forms of the disease such as metastatic, triple-negative and inflammatory breast cancers.

Companies and individuals across the beauty industry can support Dr. Brinkenhoff's Spirit of Life campaign through corporate sponsorships, individual donations and participation in campaign activities leading up to the Jan. 14 gala. Every contribution will help advance City of Hope's cancer research, treatment and supportive care while building on RevitaLash Cosmetics' goal of achieving $20 million in impact in recognition of 20 years of commitment to the breast cancer community. Together, the industry can help end cancer by creating beautiful possibilities for patients and families.

For sponsorship information, gala registration or to make a donation in honor of Dr. Michael Brinkenhoff, visit cityofhope.org/NBIspol.

About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation's top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope's uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope's growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope's affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

About RevitaLash^® Cosmetics
RevitaLash^® Cosmetics is a worldwide leader in developing advanced lash, brow and hair beautification products. Established in 2006, the collection includes award-winning RevitaLash® Advanced Eyelash Conditioner and RevitaBrow® Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner, and is available in physician's offices, spas, salons, and specialty retailers across 70+ countries. A supporter of non-profit breast cancer initiatives, RevitaLash® Cosmetics donates a portion of proceeds to research and education initiatives, giving back to the breast cancer community year-round, not just in October. For information, visit www.revitalash.com. 

SOURCE RevitaLash Cosmetics