Celebration of Lights Returns Dec. 4.

Staff Report

Joyous. Festive. Giving. These are just a few words to describe Celebration of Lights, an annual tradition to celebrate the victories of cancer survivors, honor caregivers, and remember loved ones who have passed. The event each year brings together thousands in the community and raises funds for cancer patients at Northside Hospital.

Since 1989, the Northside Hospital Foundation has honored those affected by cancer with the lighting of three giant Christmas trees atop Northside’s campuses in Atlanta, Alpharetta and Cumming. On Friday, Dec. 4, all three trees will be lit following a community-wide celebration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Northside Hospital-Forsyth in Cumming.

“We are so pleased and proud of all the people who support Celebration of Lights and our efforts to bring hope to those affected by cancer,” said Freda Hardage, director of the Northside Hospital Foundation. “Our Foundation and our hospital are committed to increasing access, expanding programs and broadening services to our cancer patients and survivors.”

Each of the 48,000 lights on the three Christmas trees can be purchased and in honor or memory of loved ones, physicians, caregivers or friends. With the purchase of a light, festive cards, designed by a local student, are sent to notify recipients of the donation in their honor. Since Celebration of Lights started 27 years ago, the event has raised nearly $550,000 for the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute. Northside treats more newly diagnosed cancer cases than anyone in Georgia, continuing to be a regional and national leader.

Gloria Wyatt, a retired Northside Hospital employee, has attended each Celebration of Lights event since 1989. But in May 2012, the event took on a new meaning for her and her family, when she was diagnosed with stage IIIb breast cancer and faced a long and often “bumpy road.”

“I wish I could put into words how it feels to hear the words ‘you have cancer,’ but unless you heard them, it’s not possible,” said Wyatt, who plans to celebrate her life. “I have the opportunity to ride by the tree atop Northside Hospital-Forsyth throughout the season and when I see that beautiful tree with all of the thousands of lights, I am reminded of what it represents to each person who has been touched by this disease.”

During the finale of Celebration of Lights at Northside-Forsyth, a Northside patient fighting cancer, will light the 60-foot tall tree, adorned with lights stretching a milelong atop the hospital. Theholiday celebration this year will include several choral groups from local schools, including Forsyth Central High School and entertainment by Footprints Dance Alliance, Dance Now, Fusion Dance Company, Sawnee Ballet Theatre and Sawnee School of Ballet. In addition, there will be photos with Santa Claus, refreshments and many other activities to entertain children. For the ninth consecutive year, WSB-TV anchor Fred Blankenship will serve as the emcee.

All proceeds go to the Northside Hospital Foundation’s Cancer Institute Fund to support cancer patients at Northside and to expand the programs and services available to help them beat their diagnosis.

“We are so excited to once again welcome our staff, our patients and the thousands of families who look forward to Celebration of Lights each year,” said Lynn Jackson, administrator at Northside Hospital-Forsyth. “We want the holiday season to bring hope, promise and healing to those affected by cancer, as well as strength to caregivers by their side.”

For more information about Celebration of Lights, to purchase Northside Hospital Christmas tree lights through Dec. 31 or to make a secure tax-deductible donation, visit https://give.northside.com/lights or call 770-667-4483 to have a donation form sent to you.