Dr. Sara Kim, radiation oncologist medical director, was at the podium with Bagdasarian. She announced to the enthusiastic agreement of audience members, “Everyone has been affected by cancer in this room.” She also described the hospital's practice of “treating body and mind.”
After keynote speaker Prida's presentation, the canDancers were on. Under the direction of fitness program dance instructor Arlene Vidor, 10 cancer patients and survivors in full Mexican regalia danced and pranced through three numbers. Standouts were Cecilia Reyes, Mary Wang and Guadalupe Mendoza.
Wang was also one of four recipients of the hospital's Flame of Hope Award presented by Roberts and Director of Cancer Services Melina Thorpe. Wang had been diagnosed with colon cancer. She has been a survivor for 15 years. Wang was honored for establishing the hospital's Cancer Survivor Group. Wang makes a point of speaking to all newly diagnosed cancer patients at the hospital.
