City of Hope Honored Breast Cancer Survivors in Irvine
Survivors received commemorative jackets to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention and care.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Cancer
Live Poll
Do you prioritize annual cancer screenings as part of your personal health maintenance routine?
City of Hope Orange County distributed pink bomber jackets to 24 breast cancer survivors during a ceremony in Irvine. This event highlighted the importance of ongoing support for patients diagnosed with the disease.
Why it matters
Events like the Be a Voice of Hope initiative emphasize the physical and emotional resilience required during cancer treatment. Raising awareness is critical, as one in seven women in Orange County is diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
Current breast cancer survival rates exceed 90% across the United States. While there are more than 4.3 million survivors nationwide, Black women face a breast cancer death rate nearly 40% higher than white women.
The players
City of Hope Orange County
A cancer specialty hospital that conducts clinical trials and provides oncology services.
Ashly Grafton
A breast cancer survivor who has been cancer-free for eight years.
The details
City of Hope has more than 100 breast cancer clinical trials currently underway, focusing on advancing research for various stages of the disease. The pink jackets distributed during the event represent courage and resilience for patients navigating their diagnosis. Campus doctors have supported these initiatives by wearing pink during October for four years.
Timeline
The event occurred in the Irvine hospital lobby on October 7, 2026.
Ashly Grafton was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018.
Health Landscape
The Be a Voice of Hope initiative sits within a broader clinical landscape where major cancer centers aim to bridge the gap between complex research and community support. By prioritizing outreach, these institutions complement their active clinical trial portfolios.
Given that one in seven women in Orange County will face a breast cancer diagnosis, early risk assessment is a vital health conversation to have with your doctor. If you have concerns about your family history or age-related risks, discuss scheduling appropriate screenings with your physician.
The takeaway
Breast cancer survival rates remain high at over 90%, emphasizing the value of proactive screening and timely clinical intervention. Ask your physician about when to begin regular breast cancer risk assessments based on your personal health history.
Further reading
For more information on navigating diagnosis and local support, see our Cancer resources.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Times.
Live Poll
Do you prioritize annual cancer screenings as part of your personal health maintenance routine?
