French Hospital Share Hope Fundraiser Raises more than $133,000 to Support the Hearst Cancer Resource Center

The fundraiser was hosted by French Hospital Medical Center Foundation during the month of October

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – November 9, 2021 – French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation announced that the “Share Hope” fundraiser held in October raised over $133,000. In its second year, more than 300 community members contributed to Share Hope, which supports the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) at FHMC.

The HCRC is a unique resource center offering patient navigation, classes, support groups, and more, in both English and Spanish that provides all services free of charge to cancer patients and their families. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the HCRC currently offers many services virtually.

“We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Share Hope fundraiser exceeded previous totals and are grateful for the many community members that made this year so successful,” says Alan Iftiniuk, FHMC President and CEO. “All proceeds stay local and directly benefit cancer patients in need. This support is especially crucial because of the additional financial challenges and obligations our patients have faced because of the pandemic.”

This year’s proceeds will specifically benefit Hearst Cancer Resource Center’s Angel of Hope Program. The Angel of Hope Fund provides cancer patients in need with assistance and support through the cancer program.

The Foundation expresses its sincere gratitude to all who contributed to Share Hope, including the team leaders and individual fundraisers that helped raise funds for Share Hope. Additionally, the Foundation wishes to express thanks to the Event Sponsor, French Hospital Medical Staff and other sponsors, including Pacific Premier Bank, Mechanics Bank, Layton Construction, Cuningham Group Architecture, Surfing for Hope, and KSBY.

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 over 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.

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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.