Lights of Love cancer fundraiser to shine in Albany, Americus and Sylvester

ALBANY — Lights of Love, the annual event meant to support services for cancer patients in Southwest Georgia, is expected to shine brightly again this year as the fundraiser will be celebrated at three Phoebe Putney Health System hospitals.

Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Phoebe Worth Medical Center in Sylvester and Phoebe Cancer Center at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany will each have separate ceremonies honoring cancer patients and their families. Each ceremony will be formatted the same way, and will include a cancer survivor from their community serving as the honorary tree lighter.

“We are excited this year to unite our communities by having Lights of Love trees on each of our hospital campuses, celebrating cancer survivors and families throughout Southwest Georgia,” said Lauren Ray, executive director of Phoebe Foundation. “Proceeds will go to purchase items to benefit cancer patients preparing for and undergoing treatment at each location.”

The tree lighters this year are Linda and Lem Griffin of Albany for the Phoebe Cancer Center, Nancy Jones of Americus for Phoebe Sumter and DeDe Hathcock of Sylvester for Phoebe Worth. They are expected to join family, friends, fellow cancer survivors and the public during their respective ceremonies.

Started in 1983 by the Junior Woman’s Club of Albany, Lights of Love has since raised more than $1 million for cancer services and patients at Phoebe Cancer Center. Officials said this year’s donations are set to go towards a new Lights of Love van for the region as well as toward oncology needs for patients at the three hospitals.

The van is used for the transportation of patients – free of charge – in Colquitt, Crisp, Dougherty, Lee, Sumter, Worth and Terrell counties, taking them to and from oncology appointments. This year, more than 2,000 trips throughout Southwest Georgia were made by this service, Phoebe officials said.

The Lights of Love trees are considered special for their symbolic white lights in memory and honor of individuals who have battled cancer. Officials said that for each light purchased for a suggested $25, a card is sent to those honored or to their family members.

The general public is welcome at each Lights of Love ceremony. The Albany ceremony is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday outside the cancer center, which will be followed by the ceremony at Phoebe Sumter at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 and the event at Phoebe Worth at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8.

The treelighters’ stories can be found by visiting lights-of-love.org. To donate or for more information, call the Foundation at (229) 312-4483 or visit the Lights of Love website.