CHICAGO — September 24, 2026 — City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago, the area’s only cancer-focused hospital and part of one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, will bring together patients, survivors, caregivers, families, employees and supporters for two consecutive days centered on survivorship, community and hope on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3.
“Celebrate Life and Walk for Hope reflect two important parts of our mission; honoring the patients and families who inspire us every day and investing in research and care that can bring hope to those facing cancer in the future,” said Pete Govorchin, president of City of Hope Cancer Chicago. “It is incredibly meaningful to recognize our survivors’ milestones and then come together as a community to help create more moments like these for future patients.”
The festivities will begin on Friday with Celebrate Life, which will recognize nearly 70 City of Hope patients who have reached the milestone of five or more years since beginning cancer treatment in Zion, Ill. The annual tradition gives patients and caregivers an opportunity to reconnect, reflect on their experiences and celebrate alongside the care teams and loved ones who supported them. During the event, honorees will walk a red carpet and receive personalized leaf-shaped plaques representing their place on City of Hope’s Survivor Tree, a longstanding symbol of strength, resilience and inspiration. For more than three decades, Celebrate Life has honored thousands of survivors and the individual journeys represented by each leaf.
The following morning during Walk for Hope, City of Hope’s signature fundraising effort supporting lifesaving cancer research and compassionate patient care, members of the community will come together to walk alongside hundreds of City of Hope patients, survivors, caregivers, employees, volunteers and supporters. Chicago actor, author, three-time cancer survivor and former City of Hope patient Colin Egglesfield will also join participants as he continues preparing for the upcoming New York City Marathon.
Celebrate Life will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, October 2, at City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago (2520 Elisha Ave. in Zion). To learn more, visit https://www.cityofhope.org/patients/celebrate-life.
Walk for Hope will take place on Saturday, October 3 in Zion. It opens at 8:30 a.m., the program begins at 9:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:45 a.m. To learn more about it, register, donate or volunteer visit https://walk.cityofhope.org/event-details#event-chicago.
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About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, Orange County, California, campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope™. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.