Laguna Beach Dad and Son's Lifesaving Bond Shines at 2026 Rose Parade

When Arash Rounaghi rode through the streets of Pasadena on New Year's Day aboard City of Hope's stunning Rose Parade float, he carried with him a story of resilience, family love, and the extraordinary power of modern medicine to transform lives.

The 51-year-old Laguna Beach father of five was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia, a rare blood cancer, back in 2018. Turning to City of Hope for treatment, Rounaghi achieved remission within a year, a victory that seemed like the end of a difficult chapter. But when his cancer returned in 2020, and his wife Stephanie received her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2022, the family faced their greatest challenge yet.

What happened next showcases the remarkable intersection of medical innovation, family devotion, and unwavering hope. By 2023, while Rounaghi's cancer was gone, his bone marrow had been damaged and required a stem cell transplant. His oldest son, Arthur, a cadet at the Air Force Academy, stepped forward as the best match and donated his stem cells to save his father's life.

"Not only did my dad have a route to being cancer-free, but I had the opportunity to be part of saving his life," Arthur said, capturing the profound gift that goes both ways in such moments.

Just one week after Rounaghi's successful transplant, Stephanie underwent a successful mastectomy at City of Hope's new academic research campus in Irvine, the only cancer specialty hospital in Orange County. Today, both parents are healthy, and Rounaghi has returned to mountain biking with his children, savoring every moment of the active life he thought he might lose.

"I thought I was going to lose everything," Rounaghi reflected. "But with City of Hope, I got hope and a second chance at life. I cherish every single moment."

Why This Inspires

The magic of the Rounaghi family's story extends far beyond one household. Their journey represents the countless families across Southern California and beyond who benefit from world-class cancer care and groundbreaking research. City of Hope, founded in 1913, has been instrumental in numerous cancer medicine breakthroughs and continues to pioneer treatments that turn dire diagnoses into stories of survival.

The City of Hope float, titled "Overcoming Cancer and Diabetes Together," featured six inspiring riders in the parade's 137th year. The spectacular display stood 20 feet high and was adorned with over 12,000 flowers, including the iconic Spirit of Life sculpture showing two adults and a child with arms raised in optimism. The image perfectly captured the parade's theme: "Magic of Teamwork."

Among the other riders was Jodi Cruz of Irvine, who became insulin-free after participating in a pioneering diabetes treatment trial. Her success, along with the stories of cancer survivors from across the country, demonstrated how medical innovation paired with compassionate care creates real miracles.

"This moment reflects the magic of teamwork," said Robert Stone, City of Hope CEO. "We are standing together as researchers, clinicians, advocates, patients and families united by hope."

For Rounaghi, riding in his community's Rose Parade represented more than personal triumph. "To think of the lives that are going to be saved at this hospital, having City of Hope in our community changes everything for people like me," he said.

In marking City of Hope's 52nd year participating in the Rose Parade, the organization celebrated not just medical achievement, but the enduring human capacity for hope, healing, and coming together when it matters most.