Northridge Hosiptal Medical Center

Carole, Dana, David and Ube Pump
2007 "Spirit of Life" Award Honorees

Twins Dana and David Pump, native Californians, were seven years old when the Pump family moved to the San Fernando Valley. Growing up they were inseparable, enjoyed the same foods and often impersonated each other to play tricks at school. They loved sports and played basketball and baseball at Bel Air Prep. Their father, Harold, originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, an avid golfer and a lover of sports, spent countless hours with his boys at sporting events to watch the Dodgers and the Rams. Their mother Carole, who met Harold at a dance, inspired Dana and David to be good to people and always give back if they find themselves more fortunate.

Their entrepreneurial spirit was evident at a very young age. According to Carole, Dana and David started making their first money while in grade school by selling flowers door-to-door for holidays and trading baseball cards. As teenagers, they were the youngest "park rangers" with parks and recreation then, focused their sights on basketball while refereeing the Northridge Knights youth games. Their drive to make money served as a key ingredient as their careers evolved. Dana and David created Double Pump, Inc., a fitting name for the twins' organization and passion. They implemented premier regional and national basketball camps to help high school boys develop their skills and be seen by college recruiters, and they host successful AAUtournaments. David and Dana direct a consulting firm for hiring collegiate men's and women's basketball coaches and athletic directors. In addition, they provide a scouting service, have a corporate hospitality service and lead an annual collegiate business conference that creates a unique learning environment for coaches and athletic directors.

David and Dana Pump's tireless work ethic and almost obsessive passion for being a part of the business of basketball has not gone unnoticed. "You could tell right away these guys were hard workers, organized and great marketing people," Arizona's Olson said. "And what they've been able to accomplish over the years is pretty amazing." "They're the classic American Dream," said former UCLA coach Steve Lavin, who met the Pumps years ago while he was attending Chapman University and running camps in Northern California. "Through hard work and vision they've established relationships and alliances and become major players in many different aspects."

With such a comprehensive business in full throttle, Dana and David were unaware that the most important organization they were to form was yet to happen. In 1998, the Pump family received difficult news--Harold was diagnosed with lymphoma and began treatment under the care of Dr. Singerman at Northridge Hospital. The therapy helped him to battle the disease, but the aggressiveness of this cancer in the end was overpowering. With Harold's passing in 2000, Dana and David were so moved by the care provided at Northridge Hospital they wanted to give back in tribute of their father, honor their mother, but also to ensure that the families in the Valley had access to the best care and latest therapies, close to home.

"David and I needed to do something so friends and their families in this community, and around the country, won't have to feel what we're feeling right now. Something so they don't have to go through the devastation that we have experienced because of cancer," says Dana. 

The Pump family set out to establish the Harold Pump Foundation, contemplated how the funds would be raised, but always knew where the dollars would be directed. How could they best parlay their passion and expertise into an event that would build on the already great relationships they have established with leaders in sports? Initially they talked of the possibility of a bowling event, but they instead settled on hosting a golf tournament and celebrity dinner. Through the leadership of David, Dana, their mother Carole and Ube, David's wife of 10 years, nearly $2.5 million dollars have been raised to date for Northridge Hospital and its cancer center. 

The tireless generosity of the Pump family, their friends and colleagues, Northridge Hospital has continued to raise the bar of excellence for cancer care, serve more families and help patients survive cancer. Acquiring digital mammography, nextgeneration ultrasound equipment and a biopsy system has allowed the clinical team to better screen patients for cancer. Once a patient has been diagnosed, specialized radiation oncology technology helps to pinpoint the tumor and save healthy tissue. And in addition, the support from the Foundation established an outreach screening program and family assistance fund for the underserved in the Valley. The Pump family has impacted over 10,000 lives every year through their philanthropy. 

Northridge Hospital proudly commemorated their work by dedicating the Harold Pump Department of Radiation Oncology and the Carole Pump Women's Center in their family's honor. The state-of-the-art technology available at Northridge Hospital matches that of renowned academic medical research centers. As Michael Wall, CEO of Northridge Hospital, notes, "It's all about relationships and the Pumps demonstrate the ability to bring all of the right people together-they've done it in business, they've done it for us and, most importantly, they've done it for those living in the Valley."

For eight years, through the leadership of David and Dana, the Pump family have put their hearts into helping families and Northridge Hospital aim for cancer-free tomorrows, but they know there is still much to be done. "Before we can learn to run, we must learn to walk. We're off to a great start, we're going in the right direction, and we've got the right people involved. The finish line is out there, but there's a lot of work ahead of us," says Dana.