As I stood in the park on November 19, surrounded by the City of Hope staff and caregivers, my family and friends who have been by my side supporting me through my entire journey, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This space is for them, for those who come after me, and for everyone who needs a reminder that healing is possible.

When I first walked through the gates of City of Hope, I couldn’t have imagined how profoundly this place would change my life. It’s not just one of the nation’s top cancer centers — it’s a sanctuary, a beacon of hope for so many, including me. Yesterday, I had the honor of giving back to this extraordinary community by dedicating the Ted Schwartz Family Hope & Healing Park.

This park isn’t just a space; it’s my story. It’s the embodiment of a promise I made during my cancer treatment—a promise to my physician and dear friend, Dr. Steven Rosen, and to myself. When I was at my lowest, undergoing CAR-T cell therapy during the pandemic, I found solace in the serene views of City of Hope’s campus. Surrounded by nature, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and hope. In that moment, I knew I had to give future patients something to hold onto, just as City of Hope had given me.

I told Dr. Rosen, “If I make it through this, we’re going to do something special together. We’re going to cure this disease, and we’re going to give people a place to heal.”

The Ted Schwartz Family Hope & Healing Park is more than a promise fulfilled. Designed by CO Architects and MIG, this 1.65-acre space on the Duarte campus is a peaceful haven where patients and their families can find solace, strength, and connection. The park reflects the natural beauty of the San Gabriel Mountains, with cobblestone paths, lush gardens, and calming water features. The large steel "leaf pavilions" and native plant landscapes create a serene atmosphere, offering a sanctuary to those navigating the challenges of cancer.

Whether patients seek solitude in smaller gardens or moments of togetherness in open spaces, this park gives them the freedom to choose how they wish to heal. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of treatment, joy and connection are possible.

The park isn’t the end of the story; it’s the beginning of a new chapter. My $15 million gift to City of Hope has also established two transformative funds: the Accelerator Fund for Immunotherapeutics, which provides immediate support for patients and families, and the Immunotherapeutic Research Endowment Fund, which ensures long-term funding for groundbreaking therapies. Dr. Rosen, now the inaugural holder of the Ted Schwartz Family Distinguished Chair in Hematologic Malignancies, continues to lead this charge with unparalleled dedication.

My Journey

My journey with cancer began in 2004 when I was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive lymphoma. For years, I battled the disease with chemotherapy, but by 2019, the situation had grown dire. That’s when Dr. Rosen introduced me to CAR-T cell therapy, a groundbreaking immunotherapy treatment. It wasn’t easy, but it gave me a second chance at life.

During those long days of treatment, City of Hope wasn’t just a hospital; it was my lifeline. The gardens became my refuge—a place where I could breathe, reflect, and find the strength to keep fighting. This park is my way of giving future patients that same gift—a space to find hope in the midst of uncertainty.

This park is my story, but more importantly, it’s a story of hope and healing for all.