Orange County’s most advanced cancer research and treatment.
04/20/2026
This week, we’re celebrating the people who make hope possible.
For more than 110 years, volunteers have been part of the heart of City of Hope — supporting patients and families, advancing research and strengthening communities across the country.
During National Volunteer Week, we’re proud to recognize the extraordinary individuals who give their time, talent and heart to our mission.
Stay tuned this week as we share inspiring stories from volunteers across our regions.
Thank you for making hope possible.
04/16/2026
Congratulations to Catalina Hernandez and Rosemarie Jackson on completing their LVN and RN programs 🎉
Catalina began her journey as a medical assistant and has now completed her LVN program, while Rosemarie has advanced from LVN to completing her RN program.
Thank you both for always serving our patients with expertise and compassion. 💙
04/16/2026
Healing goes beyond treatment. It’s about caring for the whole person, which is why our cancer center and hospital are filled with beautiful pieces of art that create moments of comfort, reflection and connection for our patients and their families.
At our recent artist reception, grateful patient Karen Henka Minnie shared how a single painting brought her comfort during her most difficult days. It gave her something steady to focus on and helped ease a moment that felt overwhelming, showing how art can support healing in ways medicine alone cannot.
We are deeply grateful to the artists who share their work with our patients and community. A special thank you to artist Jim McLoughlin for creating the piece Karen connected with and generously gifting it to her.
04/13/2026
This is what leadership looks like - being present, serving others, and expressing gratitude. Our leaders take time to meet with our staff, share their appreciation and personally thank the incredible people who are making a difference in the lives of our patients every single day. 💙
04/09/2026
At this year’s Meet the Mayors breakfast, Ahmad Abbass, M.D., F.A.C.S., our Director of GI Robotics, spoke about the leading-edge expertise at our Orange County cancer campus and how City of Hope is advancing research and treatment while contributing to the region’s health and economy. Attendees included Assemblymember Diane Dixon, Irvine City Councilmember, Mike Carroll and mayors and city council members from across the county. We’re grateful for the continued support of our elected officials.
04/02/2026
Thank you to our physicians and teams at City of Hope Orange County. 💙
Your commitment to advancing cancer research, caring for patients with expertise and compassion and your dedication to healing the whole person does not go unnoticed. The impact you make reaches far beyond treatment; it brings comfort, strength, and hope when it’s needed most.
We’re deeply grateful for all that you do for our patients, families, and community. Thank you.
City of Hope is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center offering world-class care, pioneering research and treatments across the US.
03/27/2026
Brandon Arbini was 41 when a few health changes led him to see his physician. A colonoscopy revealed a tumor so large it couldn’t be fully examined, and a biopsy confirmed Stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to his liver.
Brandon underwent surgery to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy to treat the cancer in his liver. At City of Hope, he received expert care and support throughout his treatment. Now in remission, Brandon shares his story to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and the importance of early detection and advanced, highly specialized care. Brandon’s story is a reminder that the face of colorectal cancer is getting younger. Knowing the symptoms, trusting your instincts and seeking care from leading experts can make all the difference.
Throwback to the day hope took flight over Orange County. 💙
In 2022, to mark the opening of City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center, the Great Park Balloon soared with the message “Rise Above Cancer.” Our grateful patients took flight alongside staff and community members to celebrate the first day of patient care at our Orange County cancer center.
03/24/2026
At City of Hope Orange County, advancing cancer care is a shared effort—driven by the collective expertise of our physicians, researchers and care teams working together every day.
From the lab to the clinic, that collaboration helps turn the latest discoveries into real treatment options, connecting patients to innovative therapies that are closer to home and tailored to their needs.
As physician-in-chief, Edward S. Kim, M.D., M.B.A. leads a team of physician-scientists advancing breakthroughs and caring for people with cancer with unsurpassed expertise and compassion.
Because redefining cancer care doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when experts come together, move with purpose and keep patients at the center of everything we do.
Gabby Zappia was 36 and pregnant with her third child when she began experiencing concerning symptoms. Her doctor attributed them to the pregnancy. Gabby kept pushing for answers. A colonoscopy later revealed stage 4 colorectal cancer that had spread to her liver.
Gabby underwent colon resection surgery soon after her diagnosis. At City of Hope, she completed 15 rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, along with liver surgery—all while continuing to care for her family.
Gabby shares her journey - the triumphs, the setbacks and her relentless optimism - on social media (). She creates space for connection and helps others navigate similar experiences. Her story reflects a growing reality—colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults; paying attention to symptoms can make all the difference.
Congratulations to Annette Walker, president of City of Hope Orange County, on receiving a Women Making a Difference award from OC Supervisor Katrina Foley 💙
Annette, who was chosen to represent the City of Irvine City Hall , is the visionary leader transforming cancer care for generations of patients in Orange County and beyond.
Annette, thank you for leading by example. We're proud to stand alongside you and the incredible women of City of Hope Orange County who are making a difference every day.
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The City of Hope story began in 1913, when a group of volunteers, spurred by compassion to help those afflicted with tuberculosis, established the Jewish Consumptive Relief Association (JCRA) and raised money to start a free, nonsectarian tuberculosis sanatorium.
After several fundraisers, the JCRA put a down payment on 10 acres of sun-soaked land in Duarte, where they would establish the Los Angeles Sanatorium a year later. The original sanatorium consisted of two canvas cottages. So was launched a century-long journey that would place City of Hope at the forefront of the nation’s leading medical and research institutions.
By the mid-1940s, thanks to the discovery of antibiotics, tuberculosis was on the decline in the U.S. However, City of Hope rose to the next medical challenge, tackling the catastrophic disease of cancer — and later on, diabetes and HIV/AIDS — while reaffirming its humanitarian vision that “health is a human right.”
In the spirit of that vision, Samuel H. Golter, one of City of Hope’s early leaders, coined the phrase, “There is no profit in curing the body if, in the process, we destroy the soul.” Those words became City of Hope’s credo.
Over the decades, research conducted at City of Hope has led to significant advances in modern medicine, including the development of the first synthetic human insulin, human growth hormone and the technology behind the widely used cancer-fighting drugs Herceptin, Rituxan and Avastin.
Today, City of Hope has been designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, and is a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the nation.
As we look toward the next 100 years, we continue our mission and commitment to transform the future of medicine. Our researchers, physicians, nurses, educators and staff have made hope a reality for countless patients and their loved ones.
