Groups hold annual tree lighting to remember those who battled cancer 12/4/2009 8:41 PM
By HALEY HUGHES Staff writer
Thursday night was a night of remembering.
Survivors, relatives and spouses gathered at a lit tree outside the Cancer Care Institute of Carolina to honor those who lived through the battle against cancer and those who did not.
This is the fifth year the Cancer Care Institute has teamed up with Aiken Regional Medical Centers and the Savannah River Cancer Foundation to hold the Tree of Hope event.
"Every time we've done this, it's a special event we feel in our hearts," said Carlos Milanes, CEO of Aiken Regional Medical Centers.
Those in attendance were given a luminary, which provided another warm glow in front of the lit Tree of Hope, whose own lights were meant to symbolize those who have fought against the disease.
The names of those memorialized by donations were read aloud.
Something on the tree was new this year: a star at the top.
"The star on the top we call the light of hope," said Joan Moffett, community outreach coordinator with the Savannah River Cancer Foundation.
This year, the star honored members of the Cheeks family who have been instrumental in raising money for the foundation for several years after losing three family members to cancer.
"They are a beacon of heartfelt support and compassion for those with this terrible disease," Moffett said.
Lee and Kimberli Cheeks have held an annual fundraising dinner after deciding that walking in Relay For Life was simply not enough.
Kimberli is an eight-year cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer when pregnant with her son.
Lee said, in total, the dinners have raised roughly $65,000.
"Being a part of this is a blessing," Kimberli said.
"The foundation is such a worthy cause," Lee said. "We hope to raise more attention and awareness."
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