Teacher, breast cancer survivor named Lights of Love treelighter

ALBANY — The Phoebe Foundation has announced that breast cancer survivor Heather Yeiser has been named the 2015 Lights of Love tree lighter for the annual holiday season fundraising event.

Officials say Yeiser will be the ceremonial lighter of the 40-foot tree during the Dec. 1 ceremony outside the Phoebe Cancer Center highlighting the cause of raising funds for Southwest Georgia cancer patients. Each light on the tree is meant to represent a donation for cancer patients and their families.

Diagnosed in October 2013 following her first mammogram, Yeiser, 40, had her last cancer treatment in December 2014. A first-grade teacher at Deerfield-Windsor School, she and her husband, Jay, have two daughters – Mary Adelaide and Lanier.

The Love Run held on Feb. 8, 2014, was held in her honor to contribute to costs associated with her treatment.

Lights of Love is co-hosted by the Junior Woman’s Club of Albany and Phoebe Foundation. Officials say projects that have benefited from the campaign include vans to transport patients to treatment, a cancer support library and a meditation room for the cancer center. More than $73,000 was reportedly raised last year and went toward the purchase of a 3-D mammography for the Carlton Breast Health Center.

Officials said all of this year’s donations will go toward amenities to provide comfort for patients and families on the seventh floor inpatient oncology unit, as well as to help cancer patients undergoing treatment who are in financial distress with everyday needs through the Foundation’s cancer crisis fund.

Phoebe officials said approximately 9,000 patients receive care in the 35-bed oncology unit each year for high-dose chemotherapy, disease progression and oncology-related emergencies.

“Lights of Love is a meaningful way to bring in the holiday season as it celebrates hope and encouragement — two hallmarks of the season,” said Lauren Ray, executive director of Phoebe Foundation. “(All) of the proceeds from this effort will be used to bring comfort and healing to our oncology patients in their greatest hour of need.”

Symbolic lights in memory and honor of individuals are $25 each and include acknowledgement cards sent to those honored or to family members. To donate, call (229) 312-GIVE or visit supportphoebe.org/lightsoflove. Live music, candle lighting and refreshments will be part of the event.

The public is invited to the Dec. 1 event. For more information, call Phoebe Foundation at (229) 312-4483.