Against a backdrop of cheers, applause and heartfelt stories, organizers of the 12th annual Day of Hope on Thursday unveiled a record-setting $473,215 was raised this year to support local cancer patients and their families.

The total, announced in front of a crowd of patients, caregivers, sponsors, volunteers and staff outside Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria, reflects a powerful surge in community generosity and involvement, leaders said, and brings the total raised over the last 12 years to $3,169,905.

The August fundraiser saw support from 42 sponsors and 74 teams in Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande, along with individual donors from across the region, and the world.

“That was a 15.7% increase,” surpassing last year’s total of $409,013, said Sue Andersen, president and CEO of

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