Tree of Hope shines light on cancer battles

The Northern Cancer Foundation lit up their Tree of Hope outside of the Greater Sudbury Police Service building in downtown Sudbury Dec. 15.

The Tree of Hope is a fundraiser for the organization, which supports local cancer programs and services at the Northeast Cancer Centre.

For the last several weeks, light bulb “cards” were sold for $10 apiece, each of which represented a light on the tree.

The lights serve to honour all those who have battled cancer and provide members of the public with a commemorative tribute during the holidays, according to a press release from the organization.

“Our hope is that the tree will be a place for people to feel connected to, or represent family members and friends stricken by the disease,” Tannys Laughren, executive director of the Northern Cancer Foundation, said in the press release.

“The purple lights represent the main colour of the NCF, and the various ribbons placed on the tree correspond to the different colours representing the different cancers.”

Northern Cancer Foundation board chair Jim Marchbank plugged in the lights at the ceremony. The lights will continue to shine throughout December.

“Tree of Hope” cards can still be purchased at the foundation office, located within the cancer centre, or at participating merchants for the next week.

For more information call 705-523-HOPE (4673).

Posted by Heidi Ulrichsen