Hope is Here in Huntington Beach

City of Hope celebrated the grand opening of City of Hope Seacliff in Huntington Beach on May 14, bringing together grateful patients, community members, staff and physicians at the newest location in Orange County’s most advanced network focused solely on cancer care, in a poignant but uplifting morning filled with stories of optimism and gratitude.

“Today is a continuation of our promise to bring City of Hope’s advanced cancer research and treatment closer to home for more people in Orange County,” said Annette Walker, President, City of Hope Orange County. “It is it is with great joy and continued commitment to our communities that we open City of Hope Seacliff.  Today, we can say to the people of this community and beyond that Hope is Here in Huntington Beach.”

A crowd of nearly 200 joined the opening day celebration of the 17,000-sqauare-foot location designed with patient healing, comfort and convenience in mind. City of Hope Seacliff features a broad range of services and programs and provides residents with access to cancer experts with unparalleled expertise.

Opening City of Hope Seacliff has special meaning for Nishan Tchekmedyian, M.D., Deputy Physician-in-Chief, City of Hope Orange County, who grew up in Huntington Beach. Tchekmedyian and his father, N. Simon Tchekmedyian, M.D., have cared for many of their friends and neighbors, including teachers, police officers and coaches. 

“We’ve always wanted to make sure that people with cancer receive the best possible care, and that’s something we are continuing to advance today with the opening of City of Hope Seacliff,” Nishan Tchekmedyian said.  

Huntington Beach resident Kathy Miller Willahan, who has lived in “Surf City” since 1976, shared how she beat breast cancer in 2002 but was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma five years later. She found hope at City of Hope when her physician, Tanya Siddiqi, M.D., told her she was a candidate for a breakthrough treatment called CAR T cell therapy. 

“Because of City of Hope, I saw my grandson get married. I’ll be picking out my dress for my granddaughter's wedding in October. I have a beautiful great grandbaby, and five nights a week, you’ll find me on the pickleball court. Yes, cancer is a scary thing. But everyone who walks through these doors will receive the hope they need for more tomorrows with their loved ones.”

Guests were treated to a special musical performance by one of Nishan Tchekmedyian’s longtime patients, Johnny Kleker, and his Big Band. For Kleker, the concert was an opportunity to show there is hope after experiencing cancer.

“Music is about emotion, and today I’m filled with joy, knowing that City of Hope is here for my friends and neighbors like they’re here for me,” said Kleker, 86, a Huntington Beach resident for more than 60 years. “I don’t let cancer define me or get between me and my music. I’m a cancer survivor, and I’m not slowing down.”

Said Miller Willahan: “Always remember “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.”  And with City of Hope here in Huntington Beach, hope is just around the corner.”  

Patients at City of Hope Seacliff will benefit from: 

•    Advanced cancer care delivered by renowned City of Hope physicians and staff
•    Onsite surgical procedures, including Mohs surgery for skin cancer, biopsies and other minor procedures 
•    20 private infusion bays with panoramic views of Orange County
•    15 light-filled exam rooms with large-screen monitors for patient consultations
•    Access to groundbreaking clinical trials 
•    Onsite counseling from a dedicated social worker and financial counselor 
•    Supportive care services that address the spiritual and emotional needs patients 
•    Integrative oncology services that bring together Eastern and Western medicine to improve outcomes and quality of life
•    Unparalleled expertise in gynecologic oncology, prostate cancer, blood cancers and more 

City of Hope Seacliff will welcome its first patients on May 20. For more information, visit Seacliff | City of Hope.

Also read:

Talking Hope: The younger face of cancer survivorship: Meet grateful patient Juliette Landgrave and Amanda Schwer, M.D.

Talking Hope: “A new blessing every day”: Meet two-time cancer survivor Kathy Miller Willahan

A beam of Hope rises: City of Hope celebrates "Topping Off" of Orange County's only specialty cancer hospital