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Stories
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Join us on sample date
Join us on sample date
Community Members on the Importance and Impact of Mission Hope's Annual Day of Hope Event
Andrea Sauceda In December of 2021, at the young age of 38, Andrea discovered a lump in her breast and scheduled an appointment with her gynecologist. Andrea’s gynecologist ordered a mammogram and ultrasound just to be safe, even though Andrea was not experiencing any concerning symptoms. Following a mammogram and breast biopsy, Andrea’s diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma was confirmed.
In 2023, Andrea proudly completed her chemotherapy treatment in July and her radiation therapy in October of 2023.
Jessica NunezJessica Nunez, a Santa Maria native, attended her annual well-woman exam in 2021 and expected the visit to be a routine check-up. Her life changed during the appointment when her physician felt a lump in her breast. Further testing was ordered, including a biopsy and genetic testing, which revealed that the 36-year-old had stage 2 breast cancer with a BRCA 1 gene mutation. This was a frightening moment full of unknowns, tears, and confusion that Jessica will never forget.
Due to being diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic’s CDC guidelines, Jessica found herself at many appointments alone; however, she quickly found comfort, peace, and holistic care from the staff, nurses, and community at Mission Hope Cancer Center.
Fast forward to early 2022, and after six months of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, Jessica is now on the road to recovery. She is forever grateful for the medical care, kindness, and support she has experienced at Mission Hope Cancer Center. “Mission Hope helped me through this process by working very quickly to get me on treatment,” says Jessica. “The nurses at Mission Hope are very friendly, kind, and passionate about what they do. During my journey, I never felt alone.” Local patients, like Jessica, look to Mission Hope Cancer Center for life-saving treatments and healing programs.
Karissa SanchezKarissa Sanchez was diagnosed with breast cancer just a few months after getting engaged in 2020. The save the dates had been sent, the venue was booked, but unfortunately, the planning came to an abrupt halt when she received a devastating diagnosis two months after celebrating her 30th birthday. Instead of picking out honeymoon destinations, she scheduled chemotherapy treatments, planned for surgery, and took one day at a time. The COVID-19 pandemic meant Karissa attended many appointments and treatments by herself but she quickly became close friends with the staff and nurses at Mission Hope Cancer Center. Karissa never felt alone because she knew the friendly faces waiting for her were eager to hear of the revised wedding plans.
She also looked forward to the virtual support group hosted by Mission Hope Cancer Center to connect with others undergoing breast cancer treatment. Karissa is on the road to recovery and feels forever indebted to the service, kindness, and support she received at Mission Hope Cancer Center. Karissa recently said yes to the dress and is planning her dream wedding in Maui last fall, 2021.
Taryn TimothyOn March 13, 2019, I was diagnosed with stage three ductal carcinoma HER2-positive BRCA negative breast cancer. To beat cancer it takes a village and Mission Hope Cancer Center is my village—from the volunteers wishing me hello or goodbye, to the gals in the lab who always greeted me with a big hug and my awesome physician who always has a smile that makes all my worries go away. Of course, I cannot forget to mention the chemo nurses at Mission Hope Cancer Center as they are not just nurses, they are your friends.
Throughout my treatment journey, I have felt very fortunate to always have someone with me by my side. Mission Hope Cancer Center isn’t just our one-stop shop we go to because we are sick; it’s our second home. The six rounds of treatment I received saved my life but my journey is far from over and I continue to take it day by day with a smile. I am honored to be this year’s Day of Hope Ambassador.
My name is Taryn and I am a survivor.
Janna DoumaFor a large portion of the community, cancer is a disease that impacts generations. For Janna Douma, it was no different. Janna’s exposure to cancer began when her father went to the doctor to check on several spots on his ear, eyelids, and nose. The skin cancer was so extensive that a portion of his nose had to be removed and— amazingly—a new nose utilizing skin from his forehead was crafted. At his death in 2011, his autopsy revealed he also had prostate cancer.
After her dad’s funeral services, Janna’s mother revealed to her that she had tumors visible along with her breasts. Recognizing the severity of this revelation, Janna immediately took her mom to the doctor and she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer two weeks later. At that point in the disease, cancer had metastasized throughout her body. Never receiving mammograms throughout her life, Janna’s mom was given 18 months to live. Janna undertook caregiving duties and used this precious time to bond with her mom during the difficult season prior to her passing.
Seeing the untimely deaths of her parents, Janna’s resolution was strengthened to take testing seriously. “I am different from my parents, in that I do go to the doctor regularly, and I do get tests regularly,” Janna stated. After her annual mammogram in 2017, she was called back to have a biopsy. A visit with Monica Rocco, MD, FACS, at Mission Hope Health Center, brought the news that her breast cancer was in stage 1 with the aggressiveness of cancer at stage 2.
“From the moment I had my mammogram up until today, the people at Mission Hope have been so very kind, so very caring, treating me with the utmost respect, concern, and love,” Janna said, reflecting on her experience. “Mission Hope is very special and I will continue to support it and be involved with the work there.”
Being true to her word, Janna (pictured above with her pink Wonder Woman hat) was a visible representative during Day of Hope 2018, being featured in several news stories and allowing her cancer journey to have a redemptive element. “I was in the grocery store after Day of Hope and the cashier recognized me from a story. She said, ‘I had been putting off my mammogram but when I saw you on the news I made my appointment the next day!’” Janna excitedly shared.
Janna is now cancer-free and plans on participating again in Day of Hope on April 10, 2019. You are invited to join Janna and our spirited teams of survivors and volunteers as we bring hope to our community.
Thomas & Patricia PuerlingMarriage is a journey filled with many ups and downs. For Thomas and Patricia Puerling, their 57-year marriage has taken the couple through their own share of both good and difficult times, such as when Patricia was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2012. It was a time filled with uncertainty but the couple drew on their faith and credits the Mission Hope Cancer Center team for Patricia’s treatments. After two surgeries and months of radiation therapy, Patricia is now cancer-free.
Unfortunately, this was not the only time the Puerlings would face cancer. Just a few short years after Patricia’s treatment, Thomas was diagnosed with rectal cancer. After seeing the quality of care his wife received at Mission Hope Cancer Center, Thomas felt compelled to also seek care, treatment, and support services at Mission Hope Cancer Center. Thomas underwent concurrent chemotherapy and radiation plus two surgeries, and he too is now in remission.
The Puerlings understand how fortunate they are to have a comprehensive state-of-the-art cancer center in their own community. Their message as survivors is simple – hope. Thomas notes, “We want other people to know that they can have a positive outcome to a cancer diagnosis. If we can just give one person hope, it’s worth it.”
Mellissa Matheson Cancer survivor Mellissa Matheson is living proof of how community donations truly save lives. In 2014, Mellissa was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer at the young age of 26. As a mother of three, Mellissa’s children were only six, two, and 11 months old at the time.
Since she developed bilateral breast cancer extremely early in life, it was suspected Mellissa may have a genetic syndrome. Thanks to the support Mellissa received from Marian Cancer Care, she was provided with genetic testing vital to developing the best possible treatment plan. And, due to the treatment she received from Mission Hope Cancer Center, Mellissa is now cancer-free and looks forward to living a long, happy, and healthy life with her family.
As Mellissa’s story shows, your meaningful contributions benefit local cancer patients in important ways. Donor dollars fund outreach programs for patients and families struggling to make ends meet. Your support also provides for the acquisition of advanced medical treatments and technologies, as well as vital nurse navigation services, education/support offerings, and preventative screenings.
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