Share Hope Logo October 1-31, 2020 with image of young female cancer patient smiling

French Hospital Medical Center Foundation Hosts Virtual Share Hope Fundraiser to Support the Hearst Cancer Resource Center

The online fundraiser takes place through the end of October


SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – October 20, 2020 – French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) Foundation announced that it is hosting a virtual “Share Hope” fundraiser through the end of October to benefit the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) at FHMC. The HCRC, which provides all services free of charge to cancer patients and their families, is a unique resource center offering patient navigation, classes, support groups and more, in both English and Spanish. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HCRC currently offers many services virtually.

“Right now is an especially difficult time for cancer patients,” says HCRC Director Bev Kirkhart. “Many patients are facing additional challenges in battling their disease during COVID-19 – increased isolation, stress and additional health concerns – on top of the normal challenges experienced during a cancer journey.”

The FHMC Foundation, which raises funds to support the not-for-profit hospital and the HCRC, has been unable to hold special events in 2020 due to coronavirus, events which typically provide hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the HCRC each year.

“Because cancer doesn’t stop during a pandemic, and in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, we launched our Share Hope virtual fundraiser to support local cancer patients,” says Alan Iftiniuk, FHMC President and CEO. “Now, more than ever, cancer patients need the support of the Hearst Cancer Resource Center, and we have no doubt that our community will rally to support those in need through our Share Hope fundraiser.”

Through the Share Hope website, people can make contributions to the HCRC or participate in peer-to-peer fundraising using online tools to ask their friends, family and co-workers to join them in supporting Share Hope.

The HCRC collaborates with community and physician partners to provide supportive and educational services necessary for cancer patients to understand their disease, manage treatment, and maintain dignity and quality of life throughout all aspects of their cancer experience.

Since the HCRC opened in 2008, the center has experienced more than 114,000 visits and contacts. Since then, the Foundation has raised more than $10 million to support the HCRC, enabling the HCRC to provide all services free of charge to patients.

To learn more about the HCRC or Share Hope, visit bit.ly/sharehopeslo or contact the Foundation at 805.542.6496. Contributions can also be mailed to FHMC Foundation at 1911 Johnson Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

Visit the Share Hope website now >

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About French Hospital Medical Center
French Hospital Medical Center, located in San Luis Obispo, California, is rated one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the nation and one of the Top 50 Cardiac Hospitals in the nation by Thomson Reuters. The Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center provide the latest innovative cardiac and imaging technology on the Central Coast. The hospital’s current modernization and redesign project is an example of the commitment to meet the growing needs of the community with lifesaving advancements in medicine coupled with excellent, compassionate care. The hospital is home to the unique Hearst Cancer Resource Center offering free education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families. French is a member of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services including primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers and a full service home health agency; all recognized for quality, safety and service. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.