12th Annual Day of Hope Sets New Record, Raises Over $473,000 for Mission Hope Cancer Center

Day of Hope Organizers Celebrate Historic Fundraising Milestone and Honor Top Teams

SANTA MARIA, CA, September 25, 2025 – Mission Hope Cancer Center is proud to announce that the 12th annual Day of Hope community event raised a record-breaking $473,215 in vital support for local cancer patients at Mission Hope Cancer Center. This remarkable achievement was celebrated and officially unveiled at the Day of Hope Celebration event held today, September 25th.

The 2025 total represents a significant 15.7% increase, surpassing last year's event outcome of $409,013.

“I extend our organization’s deepest gratitude to local community members for their generous and truly inspirational support of local patients receiving care at our Mission Hope Cancer Center locations in both Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande,” says Sue Andersen, President & CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital. “Our Central Coast community’s incredible generosity is more than a gift–it is a lifeline of hope, strength, and healing for every cancer patient and their family members who walk through the doors of our facilities.”

Of the total funds raised, the Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation raised $404,828, directly benefiting the Mission Hope Cancer Center's Santa Maria location. The Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Foundation raised $68,387 to support the Mission Hope Cancer Center's Arroyo Grande location.

The 12th annual Day of Hope event took place on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. This year also marked the successful introduction of two community car shows, which, alongside the traditional newspaper sales, further expanded engagement and fundraising efforts.

In addition to celebrating the overall success, the Day of Hope Celebration recognized individuals and teams whose exceptional efforts contributed significantly to the record-breaking total. Awards were presented in two categories:

Day of Hope 2025 Top Corporate Teams:

First Place Corporate Team: Rugged Radios
Team Revenue Total: $37,081
Team Leader: Greg Cottrell

Second Place Corporate Team: CoastHills Credit Union
Team Revenue Total: $10,981
Team Leaders: Karla Gonzalez, Amelia Gonzalez-Paz, Lisa Ma’a, Letisia Gonzalez, and Cathy Cachu

Third Place Corporate Team: Dignity Health Home Health and Hospice, Infusion, TCC, and Palliative Care
Team Revenue Total: $7,606
Team Leader: Michele Rodriguez

Day of Hope 2025 Top Friends and Family Teams:

First Place Friends and Family Team: Passion for Color
Team Revenue Total: $32,192
Team Leaders: Monica Navarro, Angelica Gutierrez, and Lorena Chavez

Second Place Friends and Family Team: For the Pink Ribbon
Team Revenue Total: $16,143
Team Leader: Meredith Rodriguez

Third Place Friends and Family Team: Teal Wings
Team Revenue Total: $8,623
Team Leader: Denise Villarete

An additional notable achievement was the top fundraising school, which was El Camino Junior High School, raising an impressive $5,900.

Even though the official Day of Hope event has concluded, community members are still encouraged to make donations in support of local cancer patients and families receiving care at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande. For more information on how to contribute, please contact the Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation at (805) 739-3595 and the Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Foundation at (805) 994-5421.

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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 Mission Hope Cancer Center Arroyo Grande 

Mission Hope Cancer Center, Arroyo Grande provides advanced cancer care and infusion services for our community. To meet our community’s growing needs and desire to receive treatments and services close to home in the five cities area, we expanded our cancer care services into the Matthew Will Memorial Medical Center adjacent to Arroyo Grande Community Hospital. Cancer care services close to home offer comfort, convenience and the ability to engage the family in the treatment process in a warm and friendly environment.

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 and named one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades® for three consecutive years. It has also been recognized as a 2023 Coronary Intervention Excellent Award recipient by Healthgrades®.

Marian Regional Medical Center together with Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, and French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, comprise 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. Learn more at dignityhealth.org/marianregional. 

About Arroyo Grande Community Hospital 

Arroyo Grande Community Hospital opened to the public on April 15, 1962, and is a 67-bed hospital offering health care services to Central Coast residents. The hospital operates the busiest Emergency Department in South San Luis Obispo County nationally recognized for superior patient satisfaction. Arroyo Grande Community Hospital also houses the only comprehensive, hospital-based, Acute Rehabilitation Center in San Luis Obispo County offering a wide range of individualized therapies. It 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.