Lights of Love shines another year for those touched by cancer

ALBANY — Phoebe Health System’s tradition of kicking off the holiday season by honoring those personally involved in the battle against cancer continued Tuesday night.

Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Phoebe Worth Medical Center in Sylvester and Phoebe Cancer Center at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany each planned separate Lights of Love ceremonies this year honoring cancer patients, survivors and those who have been lost to the disease.

The 33rd annual Albany ceremony took place Tuesday evening.

The ceremonies traditionally include cancer survivors serving as honorary tree lighter. The tree lighters Tuesday for the Phoebe Cancer Center ceremony were Linda and Lem Griffin of Albany.

At Tuesday evening’s ceremony, a 40-foot tree outside the center was lit while the couple — both cancer survivors who have been married to each other for 54 years — shared the moment with the public and their loved ones.

“To share that with the people here is a (special moment) to both of us,” said Lem Griffin. “Cancer is something that is (difficult), and I think one of my thoughts (is to help) people keep up the fight and (to ensure them) that they will have proper treatment.”

Linda Griffin, an Albany native, had a mammogram in August of 2004, during which she discovered a lump in her breast. Test results revealed she had an aggressive, fast-moving cancer that had developed in the month and a half following the routine exam.

A week after the cancer was confirmed, she underwent surgery for a mastectomy at Phoebe. Her first chemotherapy treatment was on Sept. 20, and it continued for six months.

“I feel honored to get to do this tonight. I hope every year it gets bigger and bigger and better and better,” she said Tuesday evening.

Lem Griffin was diagnosed with bladder cancer in October of 2012. The Calhoun County native said he never felt threatened to the point it would take his life, but his wife recognized all the same feelings of helplessness he had felt during her fight.

After two surgeries and a recurrence in 2014, Lem Griffin continues to get injections and undergoes testing every three to six months.

“For me, it was not as devastating as it was for my wife,” he said. “(The diagnosis was a low point), but also one of my higher points was when we knew we would get through that.”

Lem Griffin has been a volunteer leader in the community, serving as past chairman of the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital board and current chairman of the Phoebe Putney Health System board of directors.

Phoebe Health System CEO Joel Wernick spoke of the Griffins as a couple that values family, friends, community service and the determination that people should aspire to have. Given the personal obstacles they have faced, maintaining those values — and their community leadership roles — has not always been easy, Wernick said.

“There are a lot scars on the Griffin family that they have gotten at Phoebe, and they are glad to have them,” he said.

Nancy Jones of Americus and DeDe Hathcock of Sylvester are the tree lighters for the other two Lights of Love ceremonies. They are also 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 the cancer center. Officials said this year’s donations are set to pay for a new Lights of Love van for the region as well as help offset the costs of oncology needs for patients at the three Phoebe hospitals.

“Lights of Love is such a heartwarming community event,” said Phoebe Foundation Executive Director Lauren Ray. “There is something so magical when the community comes together, and cancer (patients) need support like they never have in their life.

“We are very fortunate that people have marked their calendars and come out to support those who are having a hard time. It is a great thing to bring the family to.”

The van funded through Lights of Love will be 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 through this service, Phoebe officials said.

Clif Buell, administrative director of the Cancer Center, said at the ceremony that the vans make 40 trips a week. The oldest one is a 2006 model, and the number of miles on it is equivalent to a trip to the moon and halfway back, he said.

“We need to replace it,” Buell said.

The ceremony included a performance of “O Holy Night” by Frank Griffin, with Heather Spencer acting as accompanist.

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 was sent to those honored or to their family members.

The ceremony at Phoebe Sumter is at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and the event at Phoebe Worth is set for at 7 p.m. Dec. 8.