Family shares cancer journey during moving Lights of Love tree-lighting event

ALBANY — Told by friends she should write a book detailing her family’s battle with cancer — a battle that included herself, her husband and their only son — Ruthie Garner said she’d already decided on a title for the book: “Three Strikes and You’re Not Out.”

But when Garner’s cancer came back, she knew a new title was needed.

“At first, I thought I’d call that book ‘Lord, Not Again,’” said Garner, who with husband Michael and son Stephen was selected to serve as the official tree-lighters in Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital’s “Lights of Love” tree-lighting ceremony Tuesday night in front of the Phoebe Cancer Center. “The good thing the second time around for me was that we got to stay home. I got my treatment right here at Phoebe.

“And I don’t mind saying, Phoebe has been good to my family.”

Ruthie Garner, a former local TV personality and entrepreneur, and Michael Garner were serving as Lights of Love tree-lighters for the second time in the 41-year history of the event. Stephen Garner was elected to join them for this year’s ceremony, but a lingering illness kept him from attending. Stephen’s parents were effusive in their praise of Phoebe’s cancer team.

“It takes a team of people to do this,” Michael Garner said of the care his family had received at the hospital. “And I want to thank all of them, from the intake personnel to the doctors to the nurses and staff in the infusion room. … All of them played an important part in our journey.”

Ruthie Garner said the word she hears from family and friends in the community is one she ponders frequently.

“I keep hearing the word ‘unbelievable,’” she said. “And it is unbelievable what we’ve gone through together.”

Phoebe Marketing and Communications Director Ben Roberts, who worked with Ruthie Garner at local TV station WALB earlier in his career, teased the woman he called “my big sister” about the many hairstyles she wore while on the air.

“But there’s one thing about Ruthie that never changed: She handled her family’s cancer journey with courage,” Roberts said. “And through it all, she’s remained committed to helping other families.”

Dr. Troy Kimsey with the Phoebe Cancer Center said the Garner family represented the mission of the hospital’s cancer center.

“Our mission is to provide the best cancer care, right here at home,” Kimsey said. “And that’s from prevention and screenings to treatment and beyond treatment.”

In addition to tree-lighting duties, Ruthie Garner also entertained the crowd that gathered for the event, singing “my mama’s favorite song,” “The Christmas Song.” Other musical selections were provided by Melodie Spencer, who sang “O Holy Night” to the accompaniment of Heather Spencer. The First Methodist Children’s Choir, accompanied by Brandon Keaton, sang “One Small Child” and “Joy to the World.”

Phoebe Health System President and CEO Scott Steiner said events like Lights of Love “inspire” him.

“One of the special things about being here at Phoebe in Albany is seeing this community come together to honor these patients who kicked cancer’s rear-end,” Steiner said. “Watching them light the tree and hearing about their journeys is such a moving event.

“That’s what makes working at Phoebe so rewarding, being in a position to help take care of friends, people you go to church with. And events like tonight are what give me energy, what inspire me.”

Persons interested in giving to the Foundation’s Lights of Love program can donate year-around at lights-of-love.org or by calling (229) 312-4483.

Staff Photo: Carlton FletcherStaff Photo: Carlton Fletcher