Arroyo Grande, Calif. – Cathy Cachu, a lifelong resident of Nipomo and longtime banking professional, was honored this week as the 2026 Day of Hope ambassador for Mission Hope Cancer Center in Arroyo Grande. Her appointment follows a personal battle with uterine cancer that began after a routine screening in spring 2024.
Family, work and service club support
Cachu credits a three‑fold support system for helping her complete a six‑month treatment regimen at Mission Hope. Her immediate family, including husband Joe, provided daily encouragement. At work, colleagues from CoastHills Credit Union – where she serves as a business development officer for the commercial banking team – rallied around her. Additionally, members of the Rotary Club of Arroyo Grande offered prayers, meals and transportation.
Treatment journey
Following the abnormal findings on her annual exam, biopsies confirmed uterine cancer. Cachu underwent surgery, followed by four months of chemotherapy and six weeks of daily radiation. She says the doctors and nurses at Mission Hope delivered “exceptional care” throughout each phase. By December 2024, she completed her final treatment and has since received clean scans and positive health updates.
Longstanding ties to Mission Hope
Even before her diagnosis, Cachu was familiar with the cancer center. She served on the Arroyo Grande Hospital Board Foundation for a decade and participated in previous Day of Hope events through her employer. “I knew the level of care the center provides, and that knowledge gave me hope when I needed it most,” she explained.
Giving back as ambassador
As ambassador, Cachu will share her story to inspire community support for the 13th Annual Day of Hope, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26. Starting at 7 a.m., volunteers will staff booths at street corners, schools, churches and other high‑visibility locations throughout the Santa Maria Valley and South San Luis Obispo County. Special‑edition $1 Santa Maria Times newspapers will be sold, with proceeds funding complimentary programs such as transportation, counseling and patient‑family services at Mission Hope.
Cachu urges residents to donate and attend fundraisers, emphasizing the importance of having a local facility that can provide comprehensive cancer care without families needing to travel far from home.
Community impact
The Day of Hope initiative, created in 2014, has become a cornerstone of regional charitable giving, directly supporting patients at both the Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande campuses of Mission Hope. Organizers expect hundreds of volunteers and dozens of donation points, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that helped Cachu through her own treatment.
For more information about the Day of Hope and how to contribute, visit the official webpage linked in the original announcement.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
