On Thursday, June 1, nearly 270 guests attended the 36th Annual Circle 1000 Founders’ Celebration Brunch at Balboa Bay Resort. The Circle 1000 Founders’ Committee is immensely grateful to the donors, friends, Hoag physicians, staff and volunteer leaders who gathered in support of the Hoag Family Cancer Institute. This year’s celebration was a resounding success, raising an incredible $1,103,300 for the Hoag Family Cancer Institute. This brings Circle 1000’s total funds raised to an impressive $24 million over its 36-year history. These funds have elevated the standard of cancer care throughout Orange County.
At the event, Sue Hagestad was recognized as the recipient of the 2023 Vin Jorgensen Award for her extraordinary volunteer leadership of Circle 1000. Hagestad’s unwavering commitment has made a lasting impact on our community.
The event, hosted by co-chairs Lin Auer and Marianne Larkin, was made even more memorable with the presence of Hayley Arceneaux, the inspiring guest speaker. A 31-year-old pediatric osteosarcoma survivor, Arceneaux became the youngest American and the first person with a prosthetic body part launched into space when she was chosen for SpaceX’s Inspiration4 all-civilian mission in 2021. After being treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at age 10, she returned to work there as a physician assistant. She published her story last year in Wild Ride: A Memoir of I.V. Drips and Rocket Ships.
By: Stu News Newport
