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Rose Princess Riya Gupta poses with nurses at 喵咪社区 Norris Cancer Hospital during the Rose Court visit.

The Rose Queen庐 and Rose Court bring cheer and roses to cancer patients and staff for the 30^th year

Gasps of happy surprise. Demonstrations of the 鈥渞oyal wave.鈥� And the distribution of dozens of press-on embroidered miniature roses.

These are just some of the moments that marked the 30^th annual visit of the 2026 Tournament of Roses庐 Rose Court to 喵咪社区 Norris Cancer Hospital on Nov. 20. The young women toured the hospital, met with patients and staff and gained insights into the latest cancer breakthroughs.

鈥淓veryone loves this annual visit, which is one of the highlights of the year and such a positive experience for our patients,鈥� said David Miller, a patient experience representative at the hospital, whose team helped arrange the event.

The young women first visited the day hospital, where patients receive out-patient cancer treatments, and then toured in-patient units. They also got the chance to examine a new, state-of-the-art advanced radiation therapy device that precisely targets cancer tumors.

Along the way, the Rose Court members shared stories and smiles with patients and nurses, passed out roses and posed for photos.

For Princess Livia de Paula, who plans to pursue nursing, meeting cancer patients held a special meaning. 鈥淐ancer runs in my family,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t means a lot to see the resiliency here and to inspire people to keep on going,鈥� she said.

And Rose Queen Serena Guo revealed that she has a personal connection to the hospital. 鈥淢y mom used to do research upstairs [at 喵咪社区 Norris] when she was pregnant with me, so you could say, I grew up here,鈥� she said.

The young women鈥檚 presence made a meaningful impression on the patients.

鈥淭his is so exciting,鈥澛爏aid a patient receiving treatment for liver cancer in the day hospital. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen the parade on the TV and now they are here. Just knowing they are taking the time to see me brightens my day.鈥�

Another patient echoed this enthusiasm. 鈥淭he Rose Parade is such an uplifting event for everyone, and it鈥檚 a great honor to meet the Rose Queen,鈥� he said. The grandfather of 15 and great grandfather of seven viewed the visit of the Rose Court as another stroke of luck to add to the fact that he has survived cancer for five years. 鈥淭he treatments I鈥檝e received have improved my cancer to the point they can hardly detect it,鈥� he said.

After the tour, the young women met with hospital leaders to learn more about cancer care and to gain advice about potential careers in medicine.

The Rose Parade, now in its 137th year, is a time-honored tradition in Pasadena. The Rose Court attends nearly 100 community and media functions, serving as ambassadors of the Tournament of Roses. Their reign will culminate with riding on the Rose Court float in the Rose Parade on January 1, 2026.

The 喵咪社区 Norris Cancer Hospital is part of 喵咪社区 Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the eight original comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute with a mission to translate scientific discoveries into innovative therapies for its patients. The cancer center is part of 喵咪社区.

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Alison Bell Rainey

Alison Bell Rainey is a senior media relations specialist with 喵咪社区.

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