Laguna Middle School Students Raise Money for Hearst Cancer Resource Center

Local 7th and 8th grade students donate $2,165 for cancer patients by collecting “Coins for Cancer” throughout the month of October 

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – November 18, 2021 – The Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) at French Hospital Medical Center today received a $2,165 donation from 7th and 8th grade students at Laguna Middle School. The students participated in "Coins for Cancer" throughout the month of October. The two grades competed against one another, with the winning class receiving extra time at recess as a reward for raising the most money.

Jana Mooney, a math teacher at Laguna Middle School, coordinated the fundraiser with help from the Yearbook and Leadership class. On October 15th, 2021, the school participated in "Spirit Day" by wearing pink. To demonstrate how many students have been affected by cancer, the fundraising team at Laguna Middle School painted cancer ribbons on their classmates’ faces during lunchtime. 

“Currently, we are in our third year of raising funds for the Hearst Cancer Resource Center,” says Mooney. “Cancer is a universal experience that touches each of our lives in one way or another. At our lunchtime event, a young boy came to me and asked if I could paint a pink ribbon on his face in memory of his mom who had recently passed away from breast cancer. Giving back to local cancer patients and providing a place for students to come together through a journey of self-discovery and connection was so rewarding.” 

The Hearst Cancer Resource Center is a one-of-a-kind resource in San Luis Obispo County for those living with cancer and their families. The HCRC, which provides all services free of charge to cancer patients and their families, is a unique resource center offering patient navigation, classes, support groups and more, in both English and Spanish. 

“We are incredibly grateful for the donation to the Hearst Cancer Resource Center from the Laguna Middle School students,” says HCRC Director Shannon D’Acquisto. “These students will one day be our doctors, nurses, and advocates, and it is inspiring to see how engaged and dedicated they are already to their local communities.” 

The HCRC collaborates with community and physician partners to provide supportive and educational services necessary for cancer patients to understand their disease, manage treatment, and maintain dignity and quality of life throughout all aspects of their cancer experience.

Since the HCRC opened in 2008, the center has experienced more than 114,000 visits and contacts. Since then, the Foundation has raised more than $10 million to support the HCRC, enabling the HCRC to provide all services free of charge to patients. To learn more about the center, click here.

[PHOTOS: Top - Proud Laguna Middle School students present the check to HCRC; Middle - Laguna Middle School held a spirit day to wear pink to raise awareness about cancer; Bottom - HCRC check presentation]

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About French Hospital Medical Center

French Hospital Medical Center is a state-of-the-art, 112-bed acute care hospital located in San Luis Obispo, CA. French’s Oppenheimer Family Center for Emergency Medicine is the area’s most advanced emergency services center. The modern facility is home to the Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center, is the county’s premier cardiac center, providing the latest cardiac and imaging technology, and the Hearst Cancer Resource Center offering free education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families. 

French Hospital Medical Center together with Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, CA and Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, CA make up Dignity Health Central Coast, a network of hospitals, physicians, and outpatient services including physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers, and a full service home health agency.