On Sunday the Bay Area Young Survivors Breast Cancer Memorial Garden opened in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, marking the first permanent memorial in the United States dedicated to those lost to breast cancer. The $1 million monument, located near the Arguello Boulevard entrance, focuses on individuals diagnosed under age 45. Click here for the press release.
The memorial garden, inspired by the AIDS Memorial Grove, provides a serene space for reflection and remembrance. It currently features 110 names, with room for more as the toll of the disease increases. Vanessa Onsurez from Santa Cruz, who is undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer, attended the opening, emphasizing the community’s support.
Meaghan Calcari Campbell, co-lead of the project and a breast cancer survivor, highlighted the memorial’s importance as a place for grieving and gathering. The garden’s design, by InsideOut Design of Oakland, includes a circular seating area made of durable Ipe wood, symbolizing the resilience needed to battle breast cancer.
The project, initiated by the Bay Area Young Survivors (BAYS) in collaboration with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, took seven years to finalize the location and four years to construct. The memorial’s opening was attended by about 500 people, including San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, who expressed hope that the garden would inspire others to support cancer research and awareness.
The memorial garden serves as a poignant reminder of lives lost and offers comfort to those affected by breast cancer. It is located at 205 Conservatory Drive West, providing a space for contemplation and connection within the park.
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