Celine Dion delivered a powerful speech about “hope” while presenting the Spirit of Life Award at the City of Hope’s 2024 Spirit of Life Gala.
During her speech on Tuesday, the “My Heart Will Go On” singer noted that the biomedical treatment center is “well-named” as they do “much more than the important research leading to new treatments.”
“It provides care to people in their greatest time of need at the most difficult and challenging moment of their lives. That is so important,” Dion – who was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in December 2022 – said.
“It provides the most precious ingredient, it provides hope. And I know how important that is.”
Dion then went on to share that during “tremendous challenges” it is essential to carry on hope and positivity.
“I know that in our wonderful lives, filled with family and joy and love, we can also be presented with tremendous challenges, with great tests about faith and strength,” the Grammy winner said.
“To many of us who experience this at some point, what a joy it is to come together with everyone in this room tonight to do everything in our power to help spread this great gift of hope.”
That evening, Dion stepped out to present the Spirit of Life Award to Jay Marciano, the Chairman and CEO of AEG Presents.
The organization’s website states that their annual campaign’s aim is to bring together artists “in support of City of Hope’s lifesaving mission to conquer cancer and diabetes.”
For the rare outing, Dion wore a black velvet dress complete with fishnet sleeves and a matching turtleneck design.
The 56-year-old styled her blond tresses back into a bun and opted for a smokey eyeshadow look. She also sported sky high heels for the occasion.
Dion’s appearance on Tuesday comes three months after she performed at the 2024 Paris Olympics amid her ongoing autoimmune disorder.
In July, she chose to sing “Hymne A L’Amour” by Édith Piaf while on top of the Eiffel Tower.
The recording artist even mentioned her comeback performance while at the gala. “This is the first time I’ve been on a stage since I was up on that tower. And I kind of miss it,” Dion said, per People.
Dion opened up about her health diagnosis in an Instagram post nearly two years ago.
“Recently I have been diagnosed with a very rare neurological syndrome, which affects something like one in a million people,” she said at the time.
Stiff person syndrome is “a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that most commonly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go and can worsen over time,” according to John Hopkins Medicine.
Earlier, in October 2021, Dion had to postpone her Las Vegas residency due to “severe and persistent muscle spasms,” which turned out to be connected to her stiff person syndrome.
