Danville new home of breast cancer Wall of Hope

By Marilyn Axelrod Burch
(Published October, 2003)

The Wall of Hope Breast Cancer Survivors’ Project began more than nine years ago in Davis, CA, out of my commitment to end breast cancer. I am a 13-year survivor, and recently came from Davis to live in the Bay Area.

But being in the Bay Area also means living closer to some of the highest breast cancer rates in the country (one in four in Marin), and appropriately, near some of the most vocal organizations about the blights to the environment, which recognize the link between the two.

In 1994, one thing the breast cancer landscape lacked was an icon, or something that was eye-catching and thought-provoking–a visual to make the claim on people’s lives more real to everyone. I clearly remember laying out those first portraits on my dining room table in Davis, to form the first of what was to become more than 100 more panels, and the strong emotions I felt looking at those women looking back at me, and knowing I was one of them.

The consequent building of the Wall of Hope over the next eight years or so, was an amazing and very satisfying experience, as woman after woman (and three men) came out to have their pictures taken.

At the end of 2002, we decided to complete the California Wall at 200 feet–100 feet of pictures, 750 portraits for northern California, and 750 for southern. The southern California portion resides in the L.A. area, and the northern California portion is stored in Danville when not on exhibit. The reason we stopped taking and adding photographs to the California exhibit was to allow us to move closer to the heart of our purpose.

The purpose of the Wall of Hope is to end breast cancer. The Wall of Hope has raised awareness of the problem, but we know awareness is not enough. Completing the Wall of Hope allows us to develop programs around awareness of the causes of the disease, and broaden our reach from breast cancer alone, to those with other cancers. If any real progress is to be made, we must acknowledge and identify the role that toxins play in making people sick.

Toward that end, we have developed a four-hour seminar called, “Telling the Truth About Breast & Other Cancers”, which includes the display of the Wall of Hope, as well as the film “Exposure: The Environmental Links to Breast Cancer”. The seminar empowers the attendees to look at the cancer problem both globally and personally, and contribute their ideas for ending the disease. We are planning a seminar in the next few months, and people can call our office to pre-register.

Local businesses can participate with the Wall of Hope by subscribing to the program, “Blessings Bloom, Miracles Happen with Cancer Awareness”. For a one-time donation of $100, the business receives a display, and a hundred pink silk roses. It is a self-serve, perpetual display to be placed on a counter in a business establishment. The patrons pay $3 for one rose, or $5 for two. They help themselves to the appropriate number of roses in the vase, and drop the money in the brightly decorated box with the display. A Wall of Hope volunteer visits once a month to collect the funds and replenish the roses as needed.

Volunteers are always needed at the Wall of Hope. Interns are also welcome.

We are excited to be in the lovely town of Danville, and look forward to getting to know the community. To reach the Wall of Hope call 925/736-7100, email wallofhope@cal.net, or FAX at 925/736-7112.

The Sentinel Website news article