PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — This holiday season, County residents once again have the opportunity to support cancer care locally while celebrating, honoring or remembering those they love. Efforts are underway at Northern Light AR Gould Hospital, formerly TAMC, for their 11th annual Lights of Life activity.
“Lights of Life raises awareness and support for cancer care locally, ultimately benefiting friends, neighbors and loved ones who are battling the disease,” explained Hollie Wolverton, philanthropy lead for the AR Gould Foundation. “During the past decade, more than $80,000 has been raised through this effort.”
That support goes far, according to Brenda Baker, manager of Northern Light Cancer Care in Presque Isle (formerly Aroostook Cancer Care). “Community support of Lights of Life has made a real difference. Past projects have helped to fund a new linear accelerator for radiation therapy and have provided dollars to our patient support fund to help our patients with costs associated with their fight against cancer.”
Through Lights of Life, individuals can purchase lights to remember those who have lost their lives to cancer, or to honor survivors, family and friends of survivors, caregivers and others. Lights may be purchased anytime now through December 31 online at www.northernlighthealth.org/ARG.
Lights are being sold for: white, $10; red, $25; green, $50; blue, $100; orange, $250; and a constellation for $500; and a list of all honorees will be posted online through hospital’s website. The star for this year’s tree has already been purchased and is being dedicated in honor of all caregivers.
“There are angels among us and I have the opportunity to witness their works every day. They are a gift. They are the healing hands of an incredible power. They are selfless servants who demonstrate human capacity for good. We are fortunate to have the gift of these angels throughout the County and I am grateful for the example they set. When I was a child, we had one ornament that was treated with absolute reverence. It topped our tree and represented everything good about the season. I cannot imagine a more fitting spot to place a symbol of our gratitude to the angels among us than the top of this tree,” said the anonymous donor who purchased the star in honor of caregivers.
Community members are invited to come be a part of the official tree lighting ceremony for the Lights of Life tree on Friday, December 7, at the Pinkham entrance of AR Gould Hospital on Academy Street in Presque Isle. Festivities will get underway at 4:00 pm with cookies and cocoa, followed by caroling and the lighting of the tree at 4:30 pm.
Lights will be available for purchase during the event for those who would prefer to make a gift in person rather than online. For more details about Lights of Life, contact the AR Gould Foundation at 207.768.4250 or visit www.northernlighthealth.org/ARG.
