Eleventh Annual ‘Day of Hope’ Benefits Local Cancer Patients

Community fundraising event to be held on Wednesday, August 21

SANTA MARIA, CA – August 15, 2024 – Dignity Health, in partnership with the Santa Maria Times, is again proud to present the annual Day of Hope event on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. The 11th annual community event benefits local cancer patients in need at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande. Day of Hope teams will line the streets to sell the special edition Santa Maria Times Day of Hope newspapers from 7 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. throughout Santa Maria, Orcutt, Guadalupe, Nipomo, and the Five Cities Area. 

Additionally, a celebratory community car parade will begin at 11 a.m. and will travel through Santa Maria along Broadway Street to Main Street and end at Mission Hope Cancer Center, 1325 East Church Street, Santa Maria. The car parade will depart from the Santa Maria Fairpark at 11 a.m. and will arrive at Mission Hope Cancer Center at 11:15 a.m. 

Community members are invited to support the Day of Hope event in a variety of ways including:

• Team Newspaper Sales: Buy a newspaper from a Day of Hope team on Wednesday, August 21, 2024
• Online Donations: Visit Dignityhealthfoundation.org/day-of-hope-2024 to make an online donation and receive an exclusive electronic version of the Day of Hope Santa Maria Times newspaper on Wednesday, August 21, 2024
• Community Car Parade: Registration for the car parade is limited. Please register online at SupportMarianMedical.org/DayofHope or cheer on the Day of Hope car parade along the route 

"Day of Hope in Santa Maria is a day of celebration for our whole community to come together to uplift patients and families affected by cancer," shares Ben Wilkinson, MD, radiation oncologist at Mission Hope Cancer Center. "By supporting the Day of Hope event, you directly assist cancer patients and their families in need, providing crucial financial aid and program support. Your generosity strengthens our programs and services, enabling our staff to provide compassionate, cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional care right here in Santa Maria. Today, we unite to transform lives, encourage those living with cancer, and forge a future where hope shines brighter than ever before."

"All members of the Central Coast community are invited to get involved and support the annual Day of Hope event,” states Jessa Brooks, Vice President of Philanthropy, Marian Regional Medical Center. “Each year, Day of Hope is an inspiring day and a true community celebration where participating community members demonstrate their strong support and enthusiasm for local cancer patients in need, while also spreading hope.” 

Since the event’s inception 11 years ago, the event’s cumulative fundraising total has reached $2,287,617.

Community members interested in supporting the annual Day of Hope event are asked to contact the Marian Foundation at (805) 739-3595 or the Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Foundation at (805) 994-5421 to discover how to get involved.

About Marian Cancer Care at Mission Hope Cancer Center

Marian Cancer Care at Mission Hope Cancer Center is accredited as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. This award recognition is the highest designation awarded to community cancer centers for exceptional performance. As the first integrated oncology facility on the Central Coast, Mission Hope Cancer Center features advanced technology and expert health care professionals from the nation’s top medical training programs. This state-of-the-art facility unites Santa Maria oncology treatment, imaging, research, education and outreach services at one location.

About Marian Regional Medical Center

Marian Regional Medical Center is a state-of-the-art, 191-bed medical center located in Santa Maria, California. The modern facility is home to a broad array of services including a level II trauma center, a level III neonatal intensive care unit, a nationally recognized cardiac care center, and boasts the Central Coast’s only Comprehensive Community Cancer Program as recognized by the Commission on Cancer. Marian has been recognized for quality and patient safety with an "A" Grade from the Leapfrog Group.

Marian Regional Medical Center together with Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo, comprise Dignity Health Central Coast, a network of hospitals,all recognized for their quality of care, safety and service, primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services.

About Arroyo Grande Community Hospital

Arroyo Grande Community Hospital is rated a top Joint Replacement Center by Blue Shield and among the Top 10% in the Nation for Joint Replacement, offering the latest in robotic and other technologically advanced orthopedic procedures. The facility has achieved prestigious designation as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission for advanced, comprehensive care for stroke patients.  The Emergency Department is nationally recognized for superior patient satisfaction and the hospital provides the only comprehensive hospital-based Acute Rehabilitation Center on the Central Coast, offering a wide range of individualized therapies. Arroyo Grande Community Hospital is a member of Dignity Health Central Coast, which is comprised of 7 award-winning hospitals, Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo, all recognized for their quality of care, safety and service. In addition, Dignity Health Central Coast has a network of nearly 50 physician offices known as Pacific Central Coast Health Centers that include primary care, cancer care and various specialties, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services. Learn more at http://www.dignityhealth.org/arroyo-grande/.