The “Reflections of Light” celebration, held on Memorial Hospital grounds, raised approximately $17,000 to purchase items for patients of The Cancer Center. Major sponsors of the luminaria celebration included the Pawtucket Credit Union, Rubicon Advisors, Schofield Printing Inc. and NorthMain Radiation Oncology.
The individually decorated paper lanterns were on display outside the hospital’s main entrance and lined the rotunda and first-floor hallways. A ceremonial lighting of the “Flame of Hope” was done by three cancer survivors and one family member. Marjorie Burke, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years ago, had worked at Memorial Hospital for 36 years. She said that early diagnosis and treatment had saved her life. Ken Aker, a former race car driver and skydiver, battled non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for seven years. He carried his flame to thank his wife and “all family members who support those with cancer every day.” Marie Mello, whose recent CT scan showed no lymphoma, is holding onto a belief in survival and carried her light for her family as well. Dori O’Sullivan helped light the flame in memory of her husband who passed away from colon cancer.
A reception after the ceremony featured educational displays by the American Cancer Society, the Pawtucket Cancer Control Task Force, Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island, Memorial’s Home Care services, the Nutrition Education Center and others. •
