The Phoebe Foundation announced today that breast cancer survivor,  Heather Yeiser, of Albany, has been named the 2015 Lights of Love tree lighter, highlighting the 33rd year of the annual holiday fundraising event for Southwest Georgia cancer patients.  Yeiser will help open the holiday season by lighting the 40 ft. tree during the December 1 ceremony held outside the Phoebe Cancer Center.
 
Diagnosed in October 2013 following her very first mammogram, Yeiser, 40, celebrated her last cancer treatment in December 2014. Yeiser, an elementary school teacher at Deerfield Windsor School, and her husband, Jay, have two daughters – Mary Adelaide and Lanier.
 
Lights of Love is co-hosted by the Junior Woman’s Club of Albany and Phoebe Foundation. Since 1983, the event has raised more than $1 million in donations impacting cancer patients and families. Projects that have benefited from the event, such as Lights of Love vans to transport patients to treatment, a cancer support library, meditation room, and more have helped reduce and prevent hardships of the disease.
               
More than $73,000 was raised during last year’s campaign and went toward purchase of 3D mammography for the Carlton Breast Center.
 
One hundred percent of this year’s donations will go toward amenities to provide comfort for patients and families on the 7th floor inpatient oncology unit, as well as to help cancer patients undergoing treatment who are in financial distress with everyday needs through the Cancer Crisis Fund of Phoebe Foundation. Approximately 9,000 patients receive care in the 35-bed oncology unit each year for high dose chemotherapy, disease progression, and oncological emergencies.
 
“Lights of Love is a meaningful way to bring in the holiday season as it celebrates hope and encouragement - two hallmarks of the season,” said Lauren Ray, executive director of Phoebe Foundation. “100% of the proceeds from this effort will be used to bring comfort and healing to our oncology patients in their greatest hour of need.”
 
Symbolic lights of love in memory and honor of individuals are $25 each and include acknowledgement cards sent to those honored or to family members. To donate, call (229) 312-GIVE or visit supportphoebe.org/lightsoflove.
 
The public is invited to help celebrate the lighting of the Lights of Love tree on Tuesday, December 1, at 7 p.m. outside the Phoebe Cancer Center.  Live music, candle lighting, and refreshments will be part of the event. For more information, call Phoebe Foundation at (229) 312-4483.