Laredo Medical Center Unveils 17th "Angel of Hope" to Honor Those Touched by Cancer
10/6/2026
Laredo Medical Center honored local and area residents impacted by cancer during its 17th annual “Angel of Hope” ceremony, held in the hospital’s Community Center. This year’s painting, created by LMC registered nurse Jesus Diaz, celebrates hope and the care and support that help patients move forward.
The ceremony began with keynote speaker Rebecca Reyes, who was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer on November 10, 2025, at age 25. Reyes shared her journey through diagnosis and treatment, reflecting on how she has managed her mindset and found strength to keep going. She completed radiation treatment at Laredo Medical Center on August 14, 2026, and continues to receive follow-up care. Through social media, she also shares her experiences to raise awareness about breast cancer and its impact on younger adults.
Following her remarks, the hospital unveiled Diaz’s “Angel of Hope,” which pays tribute to women, men and children affected by cancer.
The painting’s sky features three colors associated with cancer awareness: yellow for childhood cancer, blue for prostate cancer and pink for breast cancer. Together, the colors reflect the many people and families touched by the disease.
Diaz explained that the angel represents God, holding a torch whose light guides patients toward a tower with a bell. The torch symbolizes the resources that support patients through treatment: the hospital, physicians, nurses and other caregivers, along with medications and therapies.
The bell represents a tradition observed at many cancer centers, where patients ring it to celebrate completing treatment. In Diaz’s painting, it serves as a symbol of perseverance, renewed hope and the opportunity to move forward with their lives.
An artist since the age of five, Diaz brings his lifelong creativity to his work in LMC’s Prep and Hold unit. His hospital art tradition began when coworkers encouraged him to create a black-and-white drawing on a whiteboard using dry erase markers. That simple invitation grew into a series of original works celebrating seasons, holidays and cultural traditions, bringing joy to patients, families and colleagues throughout the year.
Being selected as this year’s “Angel of Hope” artist brought together Diaz’s commitment to caring for others and his passion for art.
“Jesus brings compassion to his patients and creativity to our hospital,” said Jorge Leal, FACHE, chief executive officer of Laredo Medical Center. “Today, those gifts come together in a painting that will become part of this meaningful tradition.”
The “Angel of Hope” ceremony is one Laredo Medical Center’s most heartfelt annual traditions. Each year, a local artist creates a unique interpretation of the angel to honor those facing cancer, celebrate survivors, and remember those whose lives were lost to the disease. Following the unveiling, cancer patients and survivors, along with families and friends honoring loved ones lost to cancer, were invited to sign their names along the painting’s edges. Each signature becomes part of the tribute before the artwork joins previous “Angel of Hope” paintings in the hospital’s A.R. Sanchez Cancer Center, located on the first floor of Tower A.
This year’s "Angel of Hope" will hang alongside previous year’s renditions, which have been painted by Krystal Hinojosa, Anna Garcia, Cristina Zorilla Speer, Christina Castillon, Angie Moore, Sandra Esparza, Paty Orduna, Lizy Hinojosa, Dr. Anish G. Potty, Lily Michelle Saenz, Allan Gindic, Sylvia Castañeda, Hortencia Peña, Linda LaMantia, Amira Chapa and Sylvia Rodriguez.
For more information about cancer care services, call (956) 796-4725.
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