How Three Groups Helped Support Day of Hope Arroyo Grande Ambassador Through Her Cancer Battle

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) - A three-sided family support system helped 2026 Day of Hope Arroyo Grande ambassador Cathy Cachu through a battle with cancer two years ago.

Using the support she received from her immediate family, work family and service club family, the Nipomo native has been able successfully complete treatment at Mission Hope Cancer Center.

Her story of courage and triumph has led to being chosen as this year's Day of Hope ambassador for Mission Hope Cancer in Arroyo Grande.

"I'm very humbled," said Cachu. "I am humbled and excited to be able to help and be chosen as the ambassador for Arroyo Grande for 2026. It's very meaningful, obviously near and dear to my heart because of the fact that I've been involved in the fundraising in the past and more so meaningful now because of having gone through cancer and having utilized the facilities and knowing the level of care and service that's provided. It means a lot to me."

Since graduating from Arroyo Grande High School and later Cal Poly, Cachu has spent her entire professional career working in the local banking industry.

She is currently is employed at CoastHills Credit Union at its Santa Maria headquarters and serves as a business development officer for the commercial banking team.

Prior to her personal experience at Mission Hope, Cachu had long known about the center through her her time serving on Arroyo Grande Hospital Board Foundation for 10 years.

"I was very familiar with Mission Hope and the services provided and so forth," said Cachu. "I was also involved with the Day of Hope events through CoastHills."

In spring 2024, after undergoing routine screening, Cachu learned she would need the cancer center she had long supported herself.

"Through just an annual exam there were some abnormal abnormalities," said Cachu. "After further biopsies and testing, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Being familiar with Mission Hope Cancer Center here in Arroyo Grande, it gave me hope that realizing the level of care that I would be receiving, just being able to have family close by to provide that support."

Soon after, she would go through a series of rigorous treatments that lasted six months.

"Initially it was surgery," said Cachu. "Surgery didn't capture everything, unfortunately, and so the next step was to have like four months of chemo treatment, which would hopefully eliminate any cancer findings. And then also to add to that, an additional six weeks of radiation, which was every single day. I can't say enough about the level of care with the doctors and nurses that were there every step of the way."

By December 2024, Cachu finished her last treatment, and ever since then, she has received nothing but positive and encouraging news on her health.

"At this point, there are no signs of any cancer coming back at this point," said Cachu. "Everything has been clean. Every appointment, every exam has been very positive in terms of the outlook."

She not only credits the treatment she received at Mission Hope, but also her support system she received from those around her.

My husband Joe has been my rock," said Cachu. "We have a very close knit family at home with my extended family, with my in-laws, brothers and sisters in law's, they are all very supportive, and then there's my extended family. I have my what I call my CoastHills family, which is my work family, and then my Rotary Club of family, who are all just very, very supportive."

Now, she is giving back to Mission Hope by sharing her story and encouraging the community to help support the facility by giving during the upcoming Day of Hope.

"Any diagnosis of cancer, it's surreal," said Cachu. "But knowing that we do have a facility here, I can't say enough about how grateful I am for Mission Hope Cancer Center and just for the level of care that is able to be provided here locally. I think everybody should come out and donate to those that are selling the newspapers on the 26th. They can also join fundraisers that are going on now to raise funds because the services that are provided, whether it's the transportation, the services and programs for the patients and families is so important."

The Day of Hope was created in 2014 and specifically raises funds for patients at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande.

On Wednesday, Aug. 26, starting at 7 a.m., hundreds of volunteers will be located throughout the Santa Maria Valley and in South San Luis Obispo County at dozens street corners, intersections, parking lots, schools, churches and other highly visible locations.

Participating teams members will once again be selling special edition $1 Santa Maria Times newspapers.

Proceeds specifically helps the cancer center provide patients with a myriad of complimentary programs and services.

For more information about the 13th Annual Day of Hope, click here to visit the official webpage.

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