This past August, the HOPE Team, a nonprofit organization based at the City of Hope Phoenix, received
the certificate of special congressional recognition from Rep. Debbie Lesko for their outstanding work in supporting cancer patients and their caregivers while they are undergoing treatment. 

The HOPE Team was founded in 2009. The name stands for the four things they strive to provide to
cancer patients and their families: Help, Optimism, Peace, and Encouragement. 

In the past five years alone, the HOPE Team has accomplished its mission by raising over $500,000 for
various activities and events they put on for patients. These moments are special, whether it's taking
them to a ball game downtown or a comedy club for a few laughs. 

" Our main goal is to take cancer off the mind of the patient, even if it is for a little while, " HOPE Team Program Manager Larry Atkinson said. 

Atkinson's drive to connect with the community around him has opened up even more opportunities
that patients and caregivers can take advantage of. This year alone, the HOPE Team has received over $50,000 from local partners like the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds. Their spring training facilities are just a few miles away from the hospital. 

" All the money we raise goes directly back into the patients, " Atkinson said. " Except for a small
operating cost, everything we receive is used to put on the various activities and events we hold ". 

In addition to ball games and comedy club visits, the HOPE Team also hosts weekly dinners for patients
to connect, bingo nights and trips to the store for items they may need. Besides fun events outside the hospital, the HOPE team is also in the hospital. Throughout the day, volunteers in their signature blue
vests can be seen helping patients find where they need to go and providing snacks and comforts to
those who need them. 

The HOPE team is always accepting donations and volunteers. To donate to the HOPE Team or learn
more about becoming a volunteer, visit hopeteamaz.org.