OTL Honors City of Hope’s “Walk for Hope” During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, OTL would like to give special recognition to City of Hope National Medical Center, a private, non-profit clinical research center, hospital, and graduate school located in Duarte, California, and its annual Walk for Hope to raise money for the medical center.

The City of Hope and the Walk for Hope held this time of year are near and dear to Sarah Shores, our Vice President Administration. After Sarah’s late mother, Toni Shores, was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer and given a year to live by a surgeon at a small community hospital, Toni chose instead to be treated by the City of Hope and went on to live another 10 years.

During that time, Toni gave countless hours back to the organization to promote the facility and its specialized care, including being the first to co-chair the Walk for Hope fundraiser and running the survivors’ pavilion at the event. She also spoke at fundraisers and became a patient advocate, talking with new patients and helping them work through their fears and concerns in regard to their diagnosis and treatment. In this way, she showed her appreciation for all that the City of Hope had done for her.

Sarah continues to be involved in the Walk for Hope and has participated in the event numerous times in honor of her mother. As the walk has raised many millions of dollars to date to help people in need, we thank Sarah for her continued contributions to this cause and pay tribute to Toni’s memory. Her drive, enthusiasm, and joy for life will continue to be a source of inspiration for years to come.