On November 6, five cancer survivors from the “Silent Generation” to Generation Z were invited to visit the City of Hope cancer specialty hospital in Orange County, which is set to open soon. Located near the Great Park in Irvine, the 72-acre cancer specialty hospital will officially open its doors on December 1. Linked closely to the Lennar Foundation Cancer Research Building opened in August 2022, the hospital boasts 17.4 million square feet spread over six floors with 73 beds. Currently staffed with over a hundred medical professionals, the upcoming specialty hospital is in the process of recruiting 50 doctors and hundreds of professional staff.
Annette M. Walker, President of City of Hope Orange County, introduced the hospital as one of the top cancer institutions in the United States, focusing on the treatment and care of various types of cancers. Since 2020, City of Hope has treated over 40,000 cancer patients in Orange County. She emphasized the importance of making patients feel comfortable and promoting healing upon entering the hospital. Situated in a multicultural community, City of Hope strives to cater to the diverse needs of residents while respecting the feng shui customs of the Asian population.
Dr. Edward Kim, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of City of Hope Orange County, stated that the hospital is known for its approach of “If you’ve had treatment elsewhere and it hasn’t worked, come see us.” The aim is to help patients overcome the disease and lead fulfilling lives post-recovery. The hospital offers screening tests for pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, and soon for thyroid cancer. Dr. Kim mentioned that these are unconventional screening methods without uniform standards, and research is ongoing. By January next year, the hospital plans to recruit thousands of participants to conduct leukemia screening studies.
For the Asian Pacific community, stomach cancer and thyroid cancer are more common, yet there are no related screenings in the United States, keeping them out of medical insurance coverage. Dr. Kim stressed the importance of being vigilant when unusual symptoms arise, such as sudden weight loss, urging people to get checked. He highlighted the difficulties of weight loss efforts, expressing the importance of early detection.
In the era of Generation Z, patients benefit from advancements in genomic testing, cellular therapy, and personalized precision oncology. Julian Castaneda, a 24-year-old who battled blood cancer twice at the ages of 10 and 16, received a bone marrow transplant at City of Hope upon relapse. As a cancer survivor, Castaneda expressed excitement after touring the hospital, praising its innovative approach and resembling a comforting hotel environment for patients.
Of great impression to him were the hospital’s balcony providing outdoor access for patients to enjoy the scenery, offering a beneficial respite. Castaneda noted the views from the large glass windows in patient rooms overlooking the streets and distant mountains, along with facilities like a meditation room, providing ways for patients to relax and momentarily forget about their ailments during challenging hospital stays.
Gabby Zappia, 37, shared her journey of being diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer after experiencing rectal bleeding during her third pregnancy. Initially dismissed as pregnancy-related hemorrhoids by an obstetrician, she underwent colonoscopy post-childbirth revealing a mass and liver lesions, leading to the colon cancer diagnosis. Zappia underwent three surgeries, 15 rounds of chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Dr. Classy treated her, resulting in no detectable cancer cells in her body, recently ringing the cancer survivor bell.
These patients reflect the impact of personalized medicine on treatment outcomes and quality of life, influenced by precise diagnostics, X-ray imaging, and targeted therapies. Kommah McDowell, diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at 29 and now 49, highlighted her two-decade journey since diagnosis. McDowell underscored the importance of personalized care received at City of Hope, which allowed her to marry and have a 6-year-old son after contemplating fertility loss due to misdiagnosis and prognosis elsewhere.
Having authored a book titled “Silver Lining: Cancer was the best worst thing that ever happened to me,” McDowell conveyed the challenges faced in navigating physical, psychological, social, economic, and emotional aspects of cancer. She urged individuals to find ways to thrive amid adversity, embracing the unpredictability of life and cherishing each moment without regrets, attaining a profound sense of purpose in daily living.
Lastly, representing the generation benefiting from modern chemotherapy and combination therapies, Kurt LeBrun, diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009, shared his treatment journey. After two stem cell transplants, LeBrun, now 65, advised on the importance of timely medical check-ups for early detection. He emphasized the necessity of medical follow-ups, recollecting his diagnosis based on fatigue despite engaging in basketball activities, underscoring the silent nature of his condition until detected through blood tests.
Elizabeth Lucas, 89, embodies the early era of cancer treatment focused on surgery, radiation, and emerging chemotherapy modalities. Diagnosed with breast cancer at 62 and later with kidney and lung cancers, Lucas highlighted her experience with City of Hope’s innovative interferon therapy, instrumental in shrinking kidney tumors and prolonging her life expectancies. Presently monitoring lung cancer, Lucas expressed gratitude for the continuous support from family and friends, emphasizing a focus on maintaining vitality and treasuring the love of loved ones.
Through the resilience and advancements of past generations in cancer treatment, contemporary patients like Lucas continue to benefit from evolving therapies and holistic approaches, fostering hope and new possibilities in their cancer journeys. The accounts of survivors highlight the transformative impact of personalized care, tailored treatments, and supportive environments provided by institutions like City of Hope in Orange County.