Bianca De La Rosa was a City of Hope® employee when doctors diagnosed her mom with cancer. Now, she volunteers in her mom’s honor.
Bianca De La Rosa had been working at City of Hope for just six months when doctors at another health system diagnosed her mom, Elena, with advanced, inoperable lung cancer. Then, her mom got a second opinion at City of Hope, which changed everything. We talked to Bianca about how the experience motivated her to invest more time volunteering at City of Hope.
Tell us about your mom’s cancer diagnosis.
Bianca: The news about my mom’s cancer was devastating for my family. One of the professors I work with was concerned about the situation and reached out to Ravi Salgia, M.D., Ph.D., an internationally renowned lung and thoracic cancer expert at City of Hope. Within minutes, Dr. Salgia’s office called me to schedule my mom for a second opinion. For the first time, I felt hope.
Dr. Salgia came to a very different conclusion than your mom’s initial care team, correct?
Bianca: Yes. After a month of tests and lab work, Dr. Salgia told us that mom’s cancer wasn’t as advanced as her original care team thought. She had surgery and then four rounds of chemotherapy at City of Hope.
How is your mom doing now?
Bianca: She recently completed her treatment, and doctors at City of Hope say things look very good for her long-term recovery. My mom has a strong faith in God. She felt scared, but there wasn’t a day she surrendered to the cancer. She just kept fighting.
Tell us about your job at City of Hope.
Bianca: I’m the senior administrative support to several principal investigators in the Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular Medicine. I also oversee the Flower Building at the Beckman Research Institute. I support an incredible array of research professionals, each with a unique and diverse background.
Seeing what the care team has done for my mom makes me so proud to work here. They gave her a second chance at life!
When did you start volunteering at City of Hope?
Bianca: My volunteer commitment began many years ago when I was a shift supervisor at a Starbucks. I recruited other employees to walk with me in Walk for Hope. I did that for four years — not because I knew anyone with cancer, but because raising money for cancer research is such a good cause.
When I started working at City of Hope in 2023, I knew I would volunteer in some way because I strongly believe in our mission.
How have you invested in City of Hope as a volunteer?
Bianca: During my mom’s treatment, City of Hope was planning its first in-person Walk for Hope since the pandemic. I jumped right in to honor my mom. First, I joined the Research Superhero team, a big group of employees who raised money and walked together. Then, I created another team through my side business, de la Rosa Cookies. I sold specially decorated sugar cookies and donated $4,000 to City of Hope from the proceeds.
Recently, I joined the Hope Starts With Us Trailblazer Ambassador Program, an employee giving and engagement program. Our goal is to advocate for Hope Starts With Us and encourage our colleagues to be involved in the City of Hope mission. That can include contributing via payroll deduction, joining a Walk for Hope team or volunteering at City of Hope’s philanthropy events.
What motivates you as a volunteer?
Bianca: City of Hope gave so much to my family, and now I want to give back. I am so grateful!
As part of the Trailblazer Program, I often talk to others whose lives have changed because they or someone they love received care at City of Hope. It inspires me to continue spreading the word about this amazing place
“City of Hope gave so much to my family, and now I want to give back.” — Bianca De La Rosa