Allie and fellow patients marched in the hospital ward (Picture: Allie Oetken)

Women on every single continent marched to make their feelings about Donald Trump’s rhetoric clear.

Unable to leave the hospital but determined to participate in the historic protest, these cancer patients held their very own Women’s March down a ward.

In pics: 100,000 join London Women’s March to protest against President Donald Trump

The women are currently being treatment for cancer in City of Hope, a cancer hospital in Los Angeles.

While tens of thousands of women (and male allies) took part in the city’s official Women’s March, these patients held their own protest.


Allie Oetken, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ewing’s Sarcoma (a rare type of bone cancer) two years ago, spoke to Metro.co.uk about the hospital march.



She revealed how she and other patients on the ward taped signs such as ‘Women’s March 2017’ and ‘March for our rights’ on to their IV drip towers before hitting the corridor in an inspiring show of activism.

Oetken told Metro.co.uk: ‘I was so determined to march—partly in protest of the gross rhetoric, behavior and direction of the new administration particularly towards women and other marginalised groups, but mainly because it was really important to for me to show solidarity amongst all women.

The women made placards which were taped to their IV drip towers before they marched (Picture: Allie Oetken)

‘I know plenty of people who will be affected by the repeal of the ACA (Obamacare), particularly cancer patients and those with pre-existing conditions that will be struggling in the absence of a strong plan for healthcare (one that doesn’t seem to be much of a priority under Trump’s administration).

Dog 'cries' after being forced to eat hot chilli in disturbing social media trend

‘Plus with all the services offered by Planned Parenthood, even just cancer screenings alone, can save so many lives, so defunding that without providing a worthwhile and reliable program in its place could put so many lives at risk.

‘The concept and basic human right that women, people in general, have a choice in what they do with their body is a general notion that I will always stand by and hope that the world continues to stand alongside me.’

She added: ‘The way in which the new president has used his words and attitude towards women and people who are different than him, both in the past and throughout his campaign, has incited a dangerous example for others to follow.

‘Similar to what Meryl Streep was saying during her Golden Globes acceptance speech: “this instinct to humiliate, when it’s modeled by someone in the public platform, by someone powerful, it filters down into everybody’s life, because it gives permission for other people to do the same thing.”

The women managed to walk an entire floor with the help of nurses (Picture: Allie Oetken)

‘If our own president is demonstrating this behavior it will only continue to lead us down a dark road that invites disrespect amongst all, particularly against those who are different than ourselves.

Trump to build wall and restrict refugee entry into US during first week as President

‘So for me, marching was part of making a statement that we will not stand for this treatment by those in power, our government and society.’

Nurses joined the women as they walked the hospital ward.

After tweeting about her disappointment about not being able to make the L.A. march, Oetken, 19, later said: ‘[We] couldn’t make the LS march today so we had to do our own protest around the hospital.’

couldn't make it the LA march today so we had to do our own protest around the hospital (only got 1 floor– we tried tho) #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/AsPIuHVd6K — allie oetken (@allieoets) January 21, 2017

Oetken later told Metro.co.uk: ‘I wanted to be on the right side of history and stand up for what I believe in, as well as for those who could not be there to stand up for themselves and their right to fair and equal treatment.’



Protesters gather on the National Mall for the Women’s March on Washington (Picture: AP)