City of Hope Orange County unveils county-wide street art initiative, uniting a community through shared messages of hope

 

(Irvine, Calif.) –  After a year of global crisis and loss, City of Hope Orange County is leading a countywide street art installation to share messages of hope at venues across the region, including COVID-19 vaccine Super Point of Dispensing (POD) sites. The top-ranked cancer research and treatment center is partnering with Orange County Health Care Agency, community organizations and businesses, and local artists in a visual expression of a shared vision for a more hopeful and healthier community.

 

The “Hope Lives in OC” initiative comes after sustained waves of uncertainty and intense difficulty that include loss of loved ones, sickness, economic instability, racial injustice and social isolation, all of which have taken a toll. Yet, despite all the challenges, there are reasons to be optimistic: the dedication of frontline workers, medical breakthroughs, and the resilience of the community.

 

In commissioning chalk artists and others, City of Hope is literally taking this message to the street. On March 2, more than 70 artists, including students from Orange County School of the Arts, will offer their own interpretations of hope at numerous prominent locations across the county.

 

The artists will bring people together, and inspire and uplift their communities through their art by creating detailed street art at least 8 feet by 8 feet. All the artists have been affected by cancer, making the City of Hope-led effort particularly meaningful to them. It is a stark reminder of the impact of the disease. According to statistics, 1 in 3 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and cancer also affects their family and friends.

 

“City of Hope was founded on hope and we want to share this powerful sentiment with our community,” said Annette M. Walker, president, City of Hope Orange County. “We came to Orange County to offer hope through lifesaving cancer treatments and pioneering research. Our optimism is sourced by scientific breakthroughs and we are eager to share our certainty of brighter days ahead. As a national cancer care leader, City of Hope has a responsibility to fulfill our promise of improving Orange County lives by applying our advanced capabilities and teams of world-renowned experts to preventing and treating cancer.”

 

“It’s been a difficult year but Orange County is resilient and strong. Our community members have stepped up and been there for one another,” said Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District. “Hope is evident and all around right now – in the continued commitment of our frontline heroes, researchers delivering vaccines, and our residents who remain vigilant about wearing masks and practicing social distancing. My hope is that this public art initiative serves as an appreciation for all we have accomplished.”

 

The Hope Lives in OC art will appear beginning March 2 at the following locations:

 

 

The street art will also appear at OC Fair & Event Center beginning March 4 and in additional locations in the coming weeks and months.  

 

City of Hope – a birthplace of medical breakthroughs, biotech discoveries leading to four of the world’s top cancer medicines and itself the developer of a COVID-19 vaccine – is building a cancer campus in Irvine and network of cancer care throughout Orange County. Its Newport Beach location, which opened in 2020, is the first phase of City of Hope’s Orange County expansion, delivering many first-in-the-region therapies and highly specialized cancer care in a safe environment.

 

Follow City of Hope Orange County @cityofhopeOC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and share messages of hope using #HopeLivesinOC

 

“Art can motivate, inspire, heal, bring people together – and have lasting effects on our health. It also plays an important role in bringing attention to what matters the most.”

 

“It has been a challenging year for everyone and we all need some good news. My grandparents and cousin were taken too soon by cancer. I want to support awareness, testing and prevention and inspire anyone who is going through a hard time. Everyone can benefit from hope.”

 

“Viewing and making art can improve physical and emotional well-being, relieve stress and anxiety, and aid with relaxation. At City of Hope, art therapy is part of our whole-person approach to helping cancer patients, survivors and their families address the emotional and psychological issues that can arise during and after treatment. Now, we are bringing art’s healing qualities to our community.”

 

 

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hope’s translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies, and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution.  Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) became a part of City of Hope in 2016. AccessHope^TM, a wholly owned subsidiary, was launched in 2019, dedicated to serving employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hope’s exceptional cancer expertise. A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope is ranked among the nation’s “Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.