Making an impact

Finding hope and healing at the Hearst Cancer Resource Center

Maria Osegueda, a young mother of four, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. As she was uninsured and already facing financial challenges, her cancer diagnosis brought new difficulties, including how to obtain the care she needed and address the language barrier she faced as a primarily Spanishspeaking patient.

When Maria (left) first heard about the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC), which offers all services thanks to donor support, as well as bilingual services, she finally felt that she would be able to get the help she needed. She met with the HCRC’s bilingual Patient Navigator, Eloisa Medina (right), and felt hopeful for the first time. Eloisa helped Maria access services including diagnostic testing, transportation, and Spanish translation services at medical appointments, as well as connecting Maria with other resources to help her navigate her diagnosis and treatment. Today, Maria has been in remission for two years and remains incredibly grateful for the services she received.

“The HCRC helped me understand my diagnosis by providing translation services and gave me hope I didn’t have before,” says Maria. “I wish I had the words to express how important it is to cancer patients like me to have the HCRC and all of the services it offers. Cancer doesn’t stop, so it’s critical for people, especially those without means, to have access to these services. I’m so grateful for the HCRC, and I hope that our community will continue to support the HCRC and local cancer patients.”

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French Hospital Nurse raises funds to support parents after the loss of a newborn

After experiencing the loss of her newborn daughter Greta Lynn in 2017, Ashley Agnitch (right) sought a way to support other grieving parents. After researching bereavement resources, Ashley, a labor and delivery nurse at French Hospital, decided to raise funds for a Cuddle Cot—a cooling bassinet used after a newborn’s passing to provide families with the gift of additional time for bonding and saying goodbye. In February 2022, in honor of her daughter’s memory, Ashley donated the proceeds to French Hospital Foundation to support the purchase of a Cuddle Cot for the hospital’s Stollmeyer Family Birthing Center. Thanks to Ashley’s efforts and kindness, our Cuddle Cot is now available to support families in their time of grief.

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Share the Hope

Hosted by Steve & Barbara Hearst

On April 2, 2022, 150 guests gathered together for Share the Hope, our first inperson event since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We were thrilled to be back together after a three-year hiatus. Held at Hearst Ranch in San Simeon, the event raised funds to support the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC), which offers all programs and services to cancer patients and their families.

The evening began with a special champagne reception at the historic Senator’s House (pictured above). The night continued at the Hearst Ranch Dairy Barn with a gourmet dinner, live music and an exciting live auction.

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and guests, $460,000 was raised to support the HCRC Endowment, ensuring that the HCRC will be able to provide services to local cancer patients for years to come.

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The French Cup

The 13th annual French Cup Golf Tournament, held on June 13, 2022, at the San Luis Obispo Country Club, raised more than $75,000 to support the Beyond Health campaign for Your New French Hospital. More than 140 golfers participated in the tournament. While out on the course, golfers enjoyed delicious food and drink from Ciopinot Seafood Grille, La Esquina Taqueria, KROBAR Craft Distillery, Hotel SLO, and Rod & Hammer. The winning golf team from Ciopinot Seafood Grille took home the highly acclaimed French Cup medals created by Malcolm DeMille, designer of the PGA Tour trophy.

The French Cup was sponsored by Mustangs Sports Properties, with other major sponsors including Pacific Premier Bank, J.W. Design & Construction, Glenn Burdette, Wicks Roofing, and Sunset Honda.

For more stories of how you and fellow donors are caring for our community, please visit our website at supportfrenchhospital.org.