Cancer Survivor Returns to Serve Community That Raised Her

After beating cancer, Cathy Cachu could have stepped back from her busy life of community service. Instead, she's doubling down on her commitment to the Central Coast community that raised her.

Born at Marian Regional Medical Center and raised locally, Cachu built her career around helping others thrive. She earned a finance degree from Cal Poly and launched a lifelong career in commercial banking, eventually becoming a business development officer at CoastHills Credit Union.

But her professional success was only part of the story. For nearly 25 years, she's been an active member of the Rotary Club of Nipomo, dedicating countless hours to local service projects and community building.

She also served 10 years on the Arroyo Grande Hospital Foundation Board, giving back to the healthcare system that has been part of her life since birth. That connection would become even more meaningful when she faced her own health battle.

After graduating from Arroyo Grande High School, Cachu never strayed far from her roots. Her deep investment in Central Coast communities reflects a simple belief: the places and people who shape us deserve our time and energy in return.

Sunny's Take

What makes Cachu's story special isn't just her survival or her decades of service. It's her understanding that coming through difficult times gives us new ways to serve the community that held us up.

Her journey shows how local volunteers and community leaders aren't separate from the people they serve. They're neighbors, friends, and fellow community members who simply choose to invest their time where it matters most.

Now cancer-free, Cachu continues showing up for the Central Coast with the same dedication she brought before her diagnosis, proving that purpose and service can carry us through our darkest moments and beyond.