The Cancer Coalition of South Georgia will host its third annual Night for Hope fundraising gala on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Albany.

The 2016 gala proudly honors three-time cancer survivor, Dr. Anthony O. Parker. The elegant, formal celebration includes a plated dinner, live and silent auctions, and live musical entertainment.  

The community is invited to support the local fight against cancer by attending the event, by sponsoring the event, or providing auction items. You also may place a memorial/honorarium for a loved one or a business ad in the program booklet. Different from national cancer organizations, every penny donated to the Cancer Coalition stays here to help our community.

As President of Albany Technical College, Dr. Parker has shaped the face of technical education in Southwest Georgia for more than 20 years. In 2012, Dr. Parker underwent a stem cell transplant and has since been cancer free. He and his high school sweetheart, Sandra, have been married for 42 years and have three adult children: Kimberly, Andrea and Richard Anthony.

Dr. Parker is a long-time advocate for cancer awareness and health in South Georgia. Concerned about our area’s high cancer rates, he greatly appreciates the Cancer Coalition’s local work. With the community’s support, the Cancer Coalition will honor Dr. Parker - and all local families touched by cancer - by continuing its health navigation and cancer screenings, education, community research, and support for local survivors. 

Cancer Coalition CEO Diane Fletcher said, “We are excited to honor Dr. Parker and to have him share his story and his passion for the Cancer Coalition. With the community’s support, we hope to exceed our fundraising goals so we may continue our local, lifesaving work against cancer.” 

Fletcher stated, “We are grateful to our corporate partners Keystone Foods/Equity Group, MillerCoors, Southeastern Federal Credit Union, DOCO Credit Union and Georgia Power, and to the event’s sponsors: Georgia CEO, Phoebe Putney Health System, Lemuel and Linda Griffin, McLendon Acres, WALB, James A. Hotz, MD Family and The Albany Herald.”

Cancer Coalition officials are seeking additional business and family sponsorships, business advertisements or memorial/honorariums for loved ones as well as auction donations. For more information about sponsorship, program ad purchase or to buy tickets, please contact Doris Pierce-Hardy at [email protected], call the main office at 229-312-1700 or visit the Cancer Coalition online at www.sgacancer.org . 

To learn more about the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia, please visit www.sgacancer.org.