Fox Chase Cancer Center to Hold Annual Tree of Life Ceremony

PHILADELPHIA (November 18, 2010) – Cancer patients, caregivers, researchers, volunteers, medical staff and friends will gather on December 8th at 5:30 p.m. for the 21st annual Tree of Life Ceremony at the Fox Chase Cancer Center cafeteria (333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia). The event, which raises funds for patient care at Fox Chase, is a place for those touched by cancer to honor lost loved ones, pay tribute to caregivers, and support each other in the effort to prevail over cancer.

“All of us at Fox Chase embrace cancer’s challenges on a daily basis,” says Joanne Hambleton, RN, MSN, NE-BC, vice president of Nursing and Patient Services at Fox Chase. “The Tree of Life Ceremony is a moving tribute where we can remember our loved ones and honor those who we partner with in their journey at Fox Chase.”

The event is free, open to the public, and will consist of speakers, a musical performance by the Abington Choral Club, and a tree lighting ceremony in the central courtyard of the Fox Chase campus.

“The lighted tree represents hope and the treasured memories of all those who have fought or are currently battling cancer,” says Hambleton. “It is a symbol of how far we’ve come and yet how far we still have to go until the day that cancer no longer claims lives.” 

Hambleton, who is also a cancer survivor, will serve as the 2010 honorary chair and speak at the ceremony, in addition to Dara Barr, a cancer survivor, and Michael Levy, MD, PhD, director of the Pain and Palliative Care Program at Fox Chase. 

Donations to the Tree of Life campaign will help fund critical research, treatment, and patient support programs at Fox Chase. Tax-deductible contributions can be made at any time through the Fox Chase website at www.fccc.edu/helpingFoxChase/campaigns/TreeOfLife, where supporters can also print out a paper leaf on which to write a note or dedication. The leaves will be displayed for all to see throughout the Center.

The ceremony will begin in the Fox Chase cafeteria at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8th and last for about 30 minutes. Light refreshments will be served. 

Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

For more information, call 888-369-2427

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