Mayor Lurie and Breast Cancer Survivors Unveil Nations First Permanent Breast Cancer Memorial Garden in Golden Gate Park

Mayor Daniel Lurie unveiled the BAYS Breast Cancer Memorial Garden in Golden Gate Park this weekend, marking the first permanent memorial in the United States dedicated to those lost to breast cancer. The approximately $800,000 memorial, funded entirely through donations, serves as a tribute to the strength of individuals who have died and a sanctuary for survivors. Located at the intersection of Arguello Boulevard and Conservatory Drive, the garden features a serene seating area surrounded by native plants, stone walkways with inscriptions from survivors, and a metal frame displaying the names of over 100 individuals who succumbed to metastatic breast cancer. “This memorial is the first of its kind in the United States,” said Mayor Lurie, emphasizing its role as a place for reflection and inspiration. The project resulted from an 11-year collaboration between the Recreation and Park Department and the Bay Area Young Survivors nonprofit, which supports individuals diagnosed with breast cancer aged 45 and under.

Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, welcomed the garden as a powerful new space for healing and hope. Dr. Hope Rugo, a breast cancer specialist, highlighted the memorial's significance in reminding the community that the fight against breast cancer is ongoing. Inspired by the AIDS Memorial Grove, the BAYS Memorial Garden is the first new memorial in Golden Gate Park in over three decades.