Day of Hope fundraiser brings the Santa Maria community together to raise cancer awareness

On Wednesday, August 26th, Dignity Health and the Santa Maria Times hosted a fundraiser for the Hope Mission Cancer Center, raising money to help support their local cancer patients. Their annual fundraiser helps raise awareness and provides some financial help to those who have loved ones in their lives battling cancer or who have had cancer, from Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande. 

This year, multiple groups of people showed up to walk through the streets, intersections, and various public spaces to ask for donations. Family members set up tents to share their stories and talk to others who have gone through treatment or experienced having a loved one with cancer. Every person who donated $1 received a commemorative Day of Hope newspaper.

It’s really special seeing people go out to support the cause for their loved ones. Cancer has always been a common disease, but every year, there is a rise in the number of new cancer cases. According to the National Cancer Institute, “In 2025, an estimated 2,041,910 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and 618,120 people will die from the disease.” However, those numbers have slightly increased for this year. In 2026, there will be about 2.1 million new cancer cases and roughly 626,000 deaths (via the American Cancer Society). 

While the numbers continue to increase slightly every year, it’s crucial to donate to organizations that help their patients with any financial needs. Whether it’s paying part of their medical bills or providing supplies, cancer organizations do the most for their patients. The Mission Hope Cancer Center takes the donations from the Day of Hope fundraiser and gives them back to their community. 

If you didn’t have the opportunity to donate in person, you can donate on the Santa Maria Valley Chamber website. They’re so close to their goal, but we can definitely help them surpass it. The last day to donate is September 18th.