Jack Morrell, breast cancer survivor, chosen Lights of Love treelighter

ALBANY — With breast cancer being 100 times less common in men than in women, the odds of Jack Morrell becoming among the ranks of breast cancer survivors was minimal. However, circumstances have now brought him into the spotlight to become this year’s face of what is considered to be one of the biggest fundraisers in the Albany area to help area cancer patients and their families.

Morrell will be the treelighter for this year’s Lights of Love ceremony, currently scheduled to take place at the entrance to the Phoebe Cancer Center at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8.

Morrell was diagnosed last year at the age of 72. In May 2010, his body reacted to an antibiotic that caused both breasts to get swollen and tender — which he initially did not do anything about.

“Me being a macho man, and a good case of dumb, I figured it would be alright,” he said.

Over a year later, the left side went back to normal. After another year, the right side, instead of getting well, developed lumps.

“After another six months I went back to the doctor, who referred me to Dr. (Cullen) Richardson. He took one look at me and said: ‘You have got breast cancer,’” he said. “(My first reaction was) disbelief, and that it was my fault.”

Two days later, Morrell had a mastectomy on his right side. He underwent 18 weeks of chemotherapy under the guidance of Dr. Chirag Jani and 34 days of radiation under Dr. Charles Mendenhall.

Now, he’s feeling good. He had a scan in October that came back clean, and he still does follow-up care with Jani.

For getting through his cancer, he credits the help of loved ones as well as the medical team.

“I had a good woman who, 48 years ago, gave me her unconditional love and two fantastic daughters,” Morrell said. “My wife, Becky, was with me every minute of the trip.

“The treatment process could have been an ordeal. Due to the people at Phoebe Putney, my oncologist and his assistant, my radiologist and his staff, it changed from an ordeal to an experience. My faith, church family, my fellow workers and many friends supported me continuously.”

The annual event, a collaboration of the Junior Woman’s Club of Albany and Phoebe Foundation, is celebrating its 31st year. Lights of Love is a ceremony that gives the community an opportunity to honor or remember their loved ones while giving a special gift to cancer patients and their families.

Morrell received word that he had been selected as the treelighter from Mandy Flynn at the Phoebe Foundation, news he felt honored and overwhelmed by. He was told he could do as much or as little as he wanted to, and elected to do as much as he could.

“I was frightened because I had to follow Patsy Martin (the 2013 treelighter and breast cancer survivor),” he said. “(Martin is) an icon of Albany … but I have done my best to further the cause of the Lights of Love fundraising event.

“The true credit always goes to the Junior Women’s Club, including Casey Moore, president, and Bonnie Hardegree, vice-president. They have spearheaded this effort for many years.”

The ceremony will include music by Morrell’s cousin, Ronnie Morrell and his daughter, Amy Bowles. The event will end with the lighting of candles by those attending. Funding from this year’s campaign, which has a $80,000 goal, will go toward the purchase of a three-dimensional mammography unit.

Studies show that 3D mammography, known as tomosynthesis, can offer up to 29 percent improvement in cancer detection and a 15 percent decrease in callbacks, officials say.

The advice Morrell wanted to leave with folks is to act when something is wrong with their body.

“My advice to anyone is if there is something not right with your body, man or woman, do not procrastinate,” he said. “Don’t be a macho man and see your primary care doctor. If I had gone to the doctor with this complaint, I might not have had breast cancer.”

Morrell went about his estate planning, just in case. After the cancer was gone, he said his perspective had been altered so that he had a better idea of the greater scheme of things, and learned it is the people in your life that matter.

“I know where I am now in the picture window of time,” he said. “It brought me closer to my family, my church and my Savior, Lord Jesus Christ.

“I accept where I am and I’m comfortable with it, because I know where I am going.”

For each donation of at least $25 in honor or memory of a loved one or friend for Lights of Love, an acknowledgement card will be sent to them or a designated person. Donations can be made online at www.supportphoebe.org/lightsoflove. Checks may be made payable to Phoebe Foundation/Lights of Love, and mailed to Phoebe Foundation/Lights of Love, P.O. Box 3770, Albany, GA 31706.

For more information, call the Phoebe Foundation at (229) 312-4483.