In 2012, City of Hope was gifted six cherry blossom trees by the Consulate General of Japan, Los

Angeles. A tree planting ceremony was created and thus became our first wishing celebration and the

beginning of our wishing trees. The idea originated from the Japanese Tanabata [taà naa báa

taa] festivals’ tradition of tying wishes of hope of making their wishes come true on trees. Every summer

since, we host an annual Wishing Celebration that coincides with the Tanabata festivals in Japan

between July and August.