“Before Winnie’s diagnosis, I didn’t know anything about City of Hope. I thought it sounded like just another neighborhood area in L.A.,” says So, a past City of Hope Board of Directors member. “But, from the moment she was admitted, we both knew the people at City of Hope were a different breed. From the gentleman taking care of the lawn to the chief medical officer to the chairman of the board — everyone was so caring.”
The same medications and treatments may have been available elsewhere, but the same approach to care and kind bedside manner weren’t. That compassion made a significant difference in Winnie’s two-year cancer battle, and it led So to dedicate his time to City of Hope after she died.
Supporting a different kind of care
So says a combination of big and little things enhanced Winnie’s care at City of Hope. The doctors were well-versed in leading-edge treatments. And the nurses always brought a smile to her face, even during difficult times. In particular, he remembers the night shift “Singing Nurse,” who would frequently sing to her patients upon request.
“This nurse would always go beyond the call of duty,” he says. “Every little way she could make Winnie and the other patients feel better, she would do it.”
It was that type of extra effort that motivated So to get — and stay — involved with City of Hope. As a logistics professional, he travels to Hong Kong and Singapore multiple times a year. Each time he visits, he shares his experience with the hospital and discusses the high level of care it provides.
“I never get tired of talking about City of Hope, and I enjoy bringing the hospital’s story overseas,” he says. “As a result, over the years, I’ve brought in about 30 or 40 patients from Hong Kong to be treated.”
So is more than a volunteer spokesperson, though. He’s also been a leader for City of Hope. After donating to the hospital when Winnie died in 1998, City of Hope invited him to join the board of directors. He served for roughly 12 years.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to serve on the board and do whatever I could for City of Hope,” he says. “I’ve been involved in several committees over the years, including ones for medical standards and research.”
Leading through the Walk for Hope
A few years after Winnie died, So participated in Walk for Hope for the first time. That year, his team included his then-small children, sister, in-laws and several friends. He’s been a team leader ever since, and he’s constantly pushing to expand his group to include more walkers.
For him, the annual event is a great way to introduce area residents to the hospital and spur greater support for its groundbreaking, life-extending cancer care efforts. That’s why he’s excited that Walk for Hope is returning to an in-person event on September 8.
“It’s always touching when you walk through campus and see the patients coming out to their windows or balconies. You see them waving down, and it makes a big impact,” he says. “When you’re walking by the buildings, you’re very connected to City of Hope. I always say the hospital is the best-kept secret. We must spread the word. People need to know that we exist with all the innovation, discovery and scientific research that we’re doing.”
Ultimately, So says he hopes his volunteer activities have bolstered City of Hope’s extensive cancer-fighting efforts — and that patients can feel that impact for years to come.
“I dream every night that City of Hope will find the magic bullet for curing cancer. Cancer is the No. 1 enemy for everyone. It affects not only the patient, but the family. I felt it firsthand when my young family was fighting the battle,” he says. “There are many institutions worldwide that are racing toward this goal, but my wish is that we will be one of the first — if not the first — to find the new discovery, the new treatment for all cancers that affect people. City of Hope’s work can’t bring Winnie back, but it can help other people.”
To support Ernie and his team please visit his Walk for Hope fundraising page: In Memory of Winnie So
