Cancer Survivors Honored with Music at California Mall

A blue grand piano sits in a California shopping mall, playing melodies that transform one woman's cancer journey into hope for millions of survivors.

Pamela Madsen, 68, a music professor at Cal State Fullerton and two-time breast cancer survivor, composed "Let Me Not Mar That Perfect Dream" for the "Music of Hope" installation at South Coast Plaza. The piece captures three movements: the sadness of diagnosis, finding peace, and daring to dream again.

City of Hope Orange County partnered with Pacific Symphony for the fourth year to honor local cancer survivors during National Cancer Survivors Month. Pacific Symphony pianists are performing live at the mall's Jewel Court through June 18, with performances running weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m. and weekend shows at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m.

The installation features "wishing trees" where visitors can write encouraging messages for cancer survivors. Those who can't visit in person can call (626) 218-4056 to share words of hope or hear messages from survivors and supporters.

Madsen was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, and it returned in 2020 during the pandemic. After undergoing a double mastectomy and additional surgeries, she's now on hormone therapy while doctors explore genetic research for new treatments.

"As a musician I write music to engage empathy in the audience, and to make people feel emotion," Madsen said. "My dream was to combine my work as a composer with healing."

The Bright Side

The numbers tell a remarkable story of medical progress. For the first time, 70% of Americans diagnosed with cancer are now surviving at least five years, according to the American Cancer Society.

More than 18 million cancer survivors live in the United States today. When breast cancer is caught at Stage 1, the survival rate exceeds 99%, according to the Cancer Research Institute.

"Everybody knows somebody," said Annette Walker, President of City of Hope Orange County. "I think that's why we get such a strong response of people wanting to write something."

Walker encourages people not to delay screenings, acknowledging she once postponed her own mammograms before working at City of Hope. Early detection remains the key to those improving survival rates.

Music, medicine, and community are coming together to remind cancer survivors they're not alone in their journey.