French Hospital Medical Center Foundation Hosts Share Hope Fundraiser to Support the Hearst Cancer Resource Center

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – October 4, 2021 – French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation announced that the “Share Hope” fundraiser is back for its second year and will again run through the end of October to benefit the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) at FHMC. 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. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HCRC currently offers many services virtually. 

“The pandemic has been trying on our patients,” says HCRC Director Shannon D’Acquisto. “In addition to a cancer diagnosis, many patients are facing additional challenges–increased isolation, stress, financial difficulties and other health concerns–on top of the normal challenges experienced during a cancer journey.” 

This year, all proceeds raised will benefit the Hearst Cancer Resource Center’s Angel of Hope Program which provides financial support to local cancer patients in need. The Angel of Hope Fund provides immediate financial assistance for the non-medical needs of cancer patients. Financial assistance allows these patients to continue uninterrupted treatment by helping them with day-to-day expenses, such as rent, transportation, groceries, childcare and more.

“The Share Hope fundraiser takes place during October in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness month,” says Alan Iftiniuk, FHMC President and CEO. “All proceeds will directly benefit local cancer patients in need. This support is crucial because of the additional financial challenges and obligations our patients have faced due to the pandemic.” 

Through the Share Hope website, people can make contributions to the Angel of Hope Program or participate in peer-to-peer fundraising using online tools to ask their friends, family and co-workers to join them in supporting Share Hope.

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 HCRC or Share Hope, visit bit.ly/sharehopeslo or contact the Foundation at 805.542.6496. Contributions can also be mailed to FHMC Foundation at 1911 Johnson Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

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About French Hospital Medical Center

French Hospital Medical Center, located in San Luis Obispo, California, is rated one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the nation and one of the Top 50 Cardiac Hospitals in the nation by Thomson Reuters. The Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center provide the latest innovative cardiac and imaging technology on the Central Coast. The hospital’s current modernization and redesign project is an example of the commitment to meet the growing needs of the community with lifesaving advancements in medicine coupled with excellent, compassionate care. The hospital is home to the unique Hearst Cancer Resource Center offering free education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families. French is a member of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services including primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers and a full service home health agency; all recognized for quality, safety and service. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.