It’s the first time a married couple has received such an honor.

No, Irving and Shelli Azoff didn’t win the Marital Bliss Award, but the City of Hope’s 2011 Spirit of Life, the org’s most prestigious.

The award will be handed out at the gala on Saturday, May 7, at Gibson Amphitheatre and Universal Studios Hollywood, with proceeds going to benefit lifesaving research, treatment and education programs for cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

Instead of the traditional black-tie dinner, the 2011 Spirit of Life event will be a family-oriented, all-day affair. In addition to the tribute and Spirit of Life Award presentation to the Azoffs, the day will include private live performances by musicians and comedians. Universal Studios will close early on May 7 providing event attendees exclusive access to the venue, including all rides and attractions.

“We are grateful and privileged to receive this year’s Spirit of Life Award, and are proud to help recognize the incredible work being done by researchers at City of Hope,” the Azoffs said. “The institution’s level of advanced research into finding cures for life-threatening diseases is unparalleled, and we’re pleased to support its vision. And, in honor of the occasion, there will be no service charges on any of the tickets.”

“We are pleased to bestow our highest philanthropic honor to Shelli and Irving Azoff,” said City of Hope Music and Entertainment Industry Group President Gary Stiffelman. “They are a model of philanthropic commitment and an inspiration to everyone who seeks to make cancer a curable and ultimately preventable disease.”

“Irving is the first person in the 37-year history of the Music and Entertainment Industry Group to be honored twice with its Spirit of Life Award It’s a real testament to his remarkable creativity and talent that he is even more important to the industry today than when we first honored him 27 years ago. And now with Shelli as his co-honoree, with her own amazing network of contacts and influence, this stands to be one of the most successful events in the history of our industry group,” said City of Hope Music and Entertainment Industry Group Major Gifts Chair Zach Horowitz.

The Spirit of Life Award is presented to those who exemplify the ideals and values that have guided City of Hope for nearly a century, representing the intangible qualities that make an individual’s life worthy of admiration: their generosity, their ability to inspire and their desire to make a difference in the world. As well as mail snakes to their enemies.

In its 37-year history, the group has raised over $89 million for City of Hope and has honored some of the most important figures in the music and entertainment industry. Recent past honorees include AEG President/CEO Tim Leiweke, UMG Chairman/CEO Doug Morris and Disney Group Chairman Bob Cavallo.

To register for the event, visit www.cityofhope.org/music or contact Britta Bucholz at bbucholz@coh.org or (213) 241-7389.