Hope Rings Out in
Orange County and Beyond

From every corner of Orange County, neighbors, friends, families and colleagues recently gathered together for something extraordinary: Hope Rings Out, City of Hope Orange County’s vibrant tribute to the strength of cancer survivors and the unifying power of hope.

Created and presented in partnership with South Coast Plaza, Hope Rings Out featured a breathtaking public art installation and live musical performances in the iconic shopping destination’s Jewel Court — and demonstrated that even cancer cannot stop neighbors, friends, families and colleagues from celebrating a healthier future together.

“I used to think cancer marked the end of my story; but at City of Hope, I learned it was just the beginning of a new one,” said grateful patient Joanna Mendez on opening night. Under a bright rotunda draped with banners, visitors were encouraged to hang miniature bells and colorful, hand-written wishing tags on larger-than-life letters spelling the word HOPE.

“Tonight, hope is all around us — in the music, in the faces of the cancer survivors who have joined us, in every story shared and every bell rung,” said Annette Walker, the president of City of Hope Orange County. “Since we opened our first location in Orange County, we have cared for more than 37,000 patients. Later this year, we’ll open Orange County’s only hospital dedicated solely to treating and curing cancer. Every day, we move closer to defeating the disease that impacts 1 in 3 Americans in their lifetime. Thank you for believing in this vision and for building hope — together, right here in Orange County,” said Walker.

“City of Hope brings the love and care we need for those diagnosed or have a loved one touched by cancer and allows our visitors to come together to celebrate survivorship in a meaningful and captivating way,” said Debra Gunn-Downing, the vice president of marketing for South Coast Plaza.

“Cancer doesn’t just affect your cells,” said Mendez to the standing-room only audience of grateful patients, donors, community leaders, physicians, City of Hope leaders and staff, and distinguished guests from South Coast Plaza. ”It touches every part of who you are, and City of Hope understands that. They ensure you don’t just survive; they help you come back to yourself and, in many ways, help you become someone even stronger.” As the audience joined her in ringing handheld bells, the sound of hope echoed through the hallways.

The Grammy Award-winning Pacific Chorale concluded the evening with a joyful performance of songs celebrating the power of hope. Whether it was ringing their bells, sharing bright smiles of hope, standing alongside others who had survived cancer, or singing along to “Fight Song,” the audience united to lift each other up, celebrate victories and remind each other of what is possible.

“City of Hope brought out the fighter in me, the believer, the healer, and the survivor,” said Mendez. “Thank you, City of Hope, for giving people like me a chance not just to survive but to truly live.”

Also read:

Cancer Survivors Month: Cancer is never easy, but it starts with Hope

City of Hope Orange County’s cancer specialty hospital is built for a single purpose: Saving lives

Talking Hope: Cancer rehabilitation medicine: Helping patients reclaim their lives