Phoebe Foundation holds annual Lights of Love ceremony
ALBANY, Ga. – We join the Phoebe Foundation underneath the twinkling lights as they illuminate the season with the Lights of Love ceremony.
In a heartwarming tribute, the Phoebe Foundation bestowed honor upon local cancer patients and their families through the Lights of Love tree lighting ceremony. The community gathered for a cozy mix of carols and hot cocoa, all in acknowledgment of those whose lives have been touched by cancer.
Meet the Garner family, the 2023 tree lighting honorees, a family who knows first hand about the challenges of a cancer diagnosis, as they exude the spirit of resilience amid the holiday season.
“Well, it’s difficult to go through because your wife, your son in our case, they go through so much. You know, it’s a challenge physically, obviously, to go through the treatment you have to go through and trying to maintain a very good attitude through it all. We pray a lot,” said Dr. Michael Garner, 2023 tree lighter.
“It’s very unusual for a couple to have cancer in the same family. But, when it’s everybody in the family, it’s almost unheard of. But, with our story, we hope that it can be encouraging to other people and we’ve received great treatment here locally. You know, encourage other people and give them some hope,” said Ruthie Garner, 2023 tree lighter.
Dr. Michael and Ruthie Garner openly shared their personal experience with cancer during the Lights of Love ceremony. Illuminating the 40 foot tree, they recounted their journey, underscoring the pivotal role of faith that serves as a guiding force through the trials of life.
“Your faith is at the top of the page. You know, you look at what’s going on and what’s ahead of you. There were several times we didn’t get what we wanted to hear about our son, until finally we got down to the last test and it was like god just through us a light right there in front of us that there was some hope for him,” said Dr. Michael Garner, 2023 tree lighter.
“It’s not always easy because especially with our son, we face a lot of situations. You feel helpless as the parents because you can’t fix things, but you just have to let the lord take over and trust doctors,” said Ruthie Garner, 2023 tree lighter.
Ruthie Garner offers encouragement to those facing the diagnosis and those who have already traversed the journey.
“Be very supportive and be there for your family, if you can 24/7, let them help you. But, also, if you’re the caregiver, just be the encourager. And, a lot of prayer. Just keep them in your prayers, too. But, also, seek the services that Phoebe has to help you. They have so many different services to help families get through that time,” said Ruthie Garner, 2023 tree lighter.
De’Andra Jacobs reporting.
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