Lights of Life holiday tradition supports cancer care, celebrates those affected by cancer

Date: 11/08/2024

Presque Isle, Maine (November 8, 2024) — Northern Light AR Gould Hospital has kicked off its 2024 Lights of Life campaign.  Community members can honor and remember friends, family members, caregivers, and others who have been affected by cancer. Every dollar raised through Lights of Life will stay local to support cancer care services in Aroostook County.
 
“This fundraiser has been a long-standing annual tradition here at AR Gould, which has raised more than $100,000 over the past 16 years. We are particularly thrilled this year to be bringing back our annual tree lighting ceremony, which had gone hand-in-hand with Lights of Life in the past but hasn’t been done since before COVID,” explains Daryl Boucher, vice president of operations at AR Gould Hospital and one of the coordinators of this event.
 
“Many of us have been touched by cancer in some way – whether we have had it ourselves or have had a loved one, friend, co-worker or neighbor who has battled the disease. Some may be celebrating as cancer has been overcome, while others are mourning losses or are still in the throes of it,” says Boucher.  “Lights of Life is a way you can make a difference for those now in treatment or those who will need treatment in the future. The expense associated with cancer can be particularly challenging for patients and families. This program makes a huge difference in their lives.”
 
Lights of Life includes the sale of colored lights to help “brighten” the holidays for patients at the hospital being treated for cancer and their loved ones. Lights include: white, $15; red, $30; green, $50; Blue, $100; orange, $250, purple, $500. There is also the opportunity to purchase the star for $1,000, a constellation for $2,500, or sponsor the entire tree for $5,000. The sale of these lights has already begun and will continue until the end of the year.
 
The purchase of lights can be made online at northernlighthealth.org/ARGouldLights or by filling out the form from a Lights of Life brochure. These brochures have been mailed to past donors and can also be picked up in the main lobby of the hospital or in the Cancer Care practice.
 
Donations or purchase of lights can also happen at the newly revived tree lighting ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, December 5, at 4:30 p.m. in front of the hospital. The event will feature hot cocoa and cookies, a few Christmas carols, and, of course, the official lighting of the tree, which is located by Academy Street, beside the hospital’s emergency department entrance.
 
The funds raised from Lights of Life help provide support where it is most needed for Northern Light Cancer Care in Presque Isle. Previous years’ funds have been used to purchase new equipment for patient care as well as to support the Cancer Care patient assistance fund, which helps patients with costs associated with treating their cancer.
 
“Patients are very appreciative of the assistance we can offer them through the support of efforts like this, particularly help with travel.  Travel to and from their appointments can be costly and difficult for patients to work into their budgets, ” said Brenda Baker, manager of Northern Light Cancer Care in Presque Isle.
 
The names of all who are remembered or honored by the purchase of a light will be posted on the hospital’s website.  In the new year, all names will also be displayed in the hallway of Northern Light AR Gould Hospital’s Cancer Care. Donations are being accepted through December 31.  Upon request, Lights of Life note cards will be provided for those who purchase lights and want to send a message to honorees or their families.
 
For more details or to purchase a light, visit northernlighthealth.org/ARGouldLights.

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