‘Night for Hope’ organizers looking for strong turnout for fight against cancer

ALBANY — Enthusiasm for the upcoming Night for Hope has been slow in recent weeks because of the focus on storm recovery in Albany, but officials with Horizons Community Solutions are hopeful those who typically open their pocketbooks for the battle against cancer will come through.

The public is invited to make a difference by attending, being a sponsor of or donating auction items to the Night for Hope event set for Feb. 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Lem and Linda Griffin are known for being steadfast champions of the Albany area, admired philanthropists and beloved community members. They also are both cancer survivors, leading them to be the honorees for this month’s Night for Hope event.

Linda Griffin successfully overcame breast cancer in 2004. Six years later, her husband was treated for bladder cancer that recurred in 2012. They are now cancer-free, and are supporters of Horizons’ work against cancer through its Cancer Coalition of South Georgia.

Lem Griffin was in a routine office visit when his tumors were revealed. Within a few days, he was on an operating table. He now gets an injection every three months, which so far has proven successful in preventing the cancer from coming back.

“When I was young, I didn’t know what cancer was,” Lem Griffin said.

Linda Griffin was diagnosed within two months of her routine mammogram revealed a lump that turned out to be an aggressive form of breast cancer. She was at her doctor’s office the same day, and quickly underwent a mastectomy that was followed by six months of chemotherapy.

“Even now, women don’t talk about breast cancer,” she said. “That’s why I talk about it.”

When one of them was suffering from cancer, it turned out to be just as stressful on the other spouse.

“The doctor didn’t give me any hope,” Lem Griffin said of his wife’s cancer. “She was quite lucky, I think.”

Linda Griffin has been to the doctor every six months, and remains in good health.

One piece of wisdom the Griffins learned, that they wish to pass on to others, was the role a self-examination can play.

“Even though you get check-ups, check yourself,” Lem Griffin said.

They have also learned to look at the world around them in a different light.

“I used to take things for granted too often,” said Lem Griffin. “It taught me to appreciate things.”

Lem Griffin was a leader in the refrigerated warehousing industry for 52 years, including 20 years as CEO and co-owner of Flint River Services. With 17 warehouses statewide, Flint River Services was recognized as an industry pioneer whose accomplishments included bringing the first refrigerated warehouse to Savannah.

He also is known for serving in leadership positions for a number of charitable boards including Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, Albany Technical College and Synovus Bank. He currently is chairman of the Phoebe Putney Health System board.

Linda Griffin is retired from Griffin Truck Lines, which she owned and managed along with her son.

She is a native of Albany, and he is originally from Calhoun County. Married for 54 years, they have a two children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom live nearby.

Different from national cancer organizations, every penny donated to the Cancer Coalition stays in south Georgia. Research, education, screenings are among the components funded.

“There is a lot of need, but we are making progress,” said Horizons CEO Diane Fletcher

Two strong storm systems last month, both of which caused widespread devastation to the Albany area, have served as distraction to people who would normally give. While that has slowed momentum down, a successful event is still expected this year.

“Cancer doesn’t take a break, even from a tornado,” said Fletcher.

That is something the Griffins also want to drive home.

“We hope to bring to some people awareness that cancer is still rampant and that we need help (for the Cancer Coalition),” Lem Griffin said.

His wife was of a similar sentiment: “I don’t wish it (cancer) on anybody,” she said.

The event will include dinner, auction and live entertainment by The Hollywood Band and Dr. Jose Tongol’s band, JT’s Yoyos – Musicians Playing for a Cause. Cocktails and the silent auction begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m.

Attendees can also place a memorial or honorarium for a loved one, or a business advertisement in the program booklet. Along with auction items, sponsorships are also being sought.

“(Our donors) have supported us for years since our very first fundraiser in Plains,” Fletcher said. “I think it will be one of the best evenings we’ve had.”

The Hilton Garden Inn is located at 101 S. Front St. Tickets are $100 per person, or $1,000 for a table.

If an auction item needs to be picked up, transport can be arranged. A similar event is planned for April 20 at Valdosta State University.

For more information on how to contribute to the event or buy tickets, contact Gwen Hosley at [email protected], call (229) 312-1700 or visit horizonscommunity.org.