Cultivating Recovery: Inside The Ohio State University’s "Garden of Hope"

For many cancer survivors, the journey toward health doesn’t end with the final treatment—it continues through nutrition, community, and the simple act of reconnecting with the earth. At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Dena Champion, MS, RDN, CSO, LD, CNSC, is helping lead a unique initiative that bridges the gap between clinical advice and real-world healing.

The Garden of Hope is a 2-acre sanctuary specifically designed for cancer survivors and their caregivers. As Champion describes it, the project is more than just a patch of land; it’s a living classroom and a place of profound transformation.

A "Relaxed Extension" of the Clinic

While clinicians frequently recommend plant-based diets for survivors, the transition from advice to action can be difficult in a traditional medical setting.

"I think of it as an extension of what we do in our clinical spaces, but in a completely different setting," Champion explained in an interview with Targeted Oncology. "It’s a setting where we’re connecting with food, we’re in a relaxed environment, we’re amongst other cancer survivors on similar journeys. So, it really is a much more relaxed, conversational setting.”

The garden offers direct access to over 100 varieties of fruits and vegetables throughout the Ohio growing season (June through October). Survivors are encouraged to participate in weekly harvest sessions led by registered dietitians.

"The goal of this program is to address that need," said Champion. "We know that most cancer survivors are not eating enough fruits and vegetables, so the garden provides this direct access to fresh, nutritious, delicious produce, and it's also this beautiful space and supportive community environment."

Measuring Hope with Science

The Garden of Hope isn't just about providing food; it's about proving the efficacy of lifestyle interventions. Champion and her team are currently conducting a pilot study to measure the program's impact using objective biological markers.

Using noninvasive, portable devices, the team measures carotenoid levels in the skin. Carotenoids are natural pigments found in fruits and vegetables that the body stores after consumption.

"What’s really cool about this is it’s not just asking them to report what they’re eating, but we also have an objective biological marker of what’s happening in the body," Champion said. "We take these very small, portable machines that use specific wavelengths of light to objectively measure those carotenoid levels through the skin. It is completely painless, noninvasive, and takes a couple of minutes."

By comparing levels in June to those in October, the team hopes to show a clear, measurable increase in nutritional health over the growing season.

Unexpected Benefits: Friendships and "Hidden" Exercise

Beyond the nutritional data, the garden provides holistic benefits that the team didn't fully anticipate at the outset. Champion notes that the environment fosters a unique sense of camaraderie. Survivors exchange recipe ideas and share their stories, forming friendships while in the garden. The act of being outside is beneficial for many survivors’ mental well-beings. Additionally, gardening provides physical activity in a “hidden” way.

“It actually is providing exercise in a way that is not formal, but it gets people moving... You’re walking up and down rows, and you are picking onions out of the ground or squatting down to pick your tomatoes,” Champion said.

A Vision for the Future

While OSU currently hosts what may be the only survivor-specific garden of its kind in the country, Champion hopes it becomes a blueprint for others.

"It would be amazing if somebody heard our story and wanted to implement the same idea in their own community," she says. "That would be a dream to see these pop up all over the place."

For clinicians who may not have two acres of land available, Champion suggests starting with accessible cooking classes and tastings to empower patients. The goal, she emphasizes, is to help survivors feel excited about healthy food.

"The key is we let them taste everything, because we want them to taste it and be excited about how good these healthy foods taste. Even if you don't have a garden space, I think you can still accomplish some of those same things by offering accessible classes... that can help people with that plant-forward diet."