November 1, 2003

LIGHT THE WAY - Preparations have begun for the Sixth Annual Light the Way celebration at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Upper Nappan on Sunday, Nov.23 at 6pm. Members of the organizing committee are shown above with the ventilator purchased from the proceeds of last year's campaign. They include: (front l-r) Jean Miller, ICU patient care manager Norah Doucet, respiratory therapist Barry Purcell, (back l-r) Harold MacLeod, Mark Milner and Allen Wessell.

Light The Way Sets $65,000 Campaign Goal - by Darrell Cole - Amherst Daily News
AMHERST - Over the years it has become one of the Cumberland Health Care Foundation's major fund-raisers. Since its inception as an initiative of the former Highland View Regional Hospital Foundation, Light the Way has raised in excess of $192,000 for much-needed equipment.

The Sixth Annual Light the Way celebration is set for Sunday, Nov.23 beginning at 6pm at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre and will feature music and refreshments as well as the lighting of the giant Christmas tree in front of the hospital's main entrance.

"We are so excited about this year's Light the Way. We are hoping that with the continued support of the community, that we can achieve our goal and make these equipment purchases a reality", stated Jodi Swan, managing director.

Last year's event, the first at the county's new hospital, raised $50,000 to purchase a new ventilator for the intensive care unit. I also marked the highest amount ever amount ever raised by the campaign, and instead of resting on their laurels organizers have set an even goal this year.

This year's goal of $65,000 will be used to purchase a portable ultrasound machine and a spectrometre for the laboratory. The ultrasound scan images for diagnostic purposes and can be used throughout the hospital while the spectrometre is a breath analyzer that assists in diagnosis ailments without the unnecessary use of a scope.

Swan said Light the Way is a very meaningful event for the foundation and it encourages participation from all community members. Individuals and corporations are invited to participate by naming a light, wreath or angel in memory of a loved one, in honour of a special friend or co-worker, as a Christmas present for those who seem to have everything, or simply just because.

This year the committee will be adding an additional tree and yellow coloured light bulb, especially for the children taking part. "We look forward to sharing this special event with the children, who seem to make the holidays so exciting. We encourage all families to be part of our lighting ceremony," said Swan.

Children can purchase yellow bulbs for this tree for $1. On the main tree, white bulbs can be purchased for $10, red for $20, green for $50 and blue for $100. Gleaming wreaths can be purchased for $250, wreaths of hope for $400 and radiant angels for $500. Guardian angels can be sponsored for $1000. "People have purchased bulbs, wreaths and angels in memory or honour of someone special to them or just because," Swan said. "We've also had people buy them as Christmas gifts. It's the ideal gift to give someone hard to buy for while at the same time helping health care in the community."

As in other years, the star at the top of the tree will be named in honour of the individual, group or corporation making the biggest single contribution to the campaign. Past winners have included Poly Cello, the Wandlyn, the Royal Canadian Legion and the hospital auxiliary. Light the Way is one of three major fund-raisers for the foundation including the Highland Classic charity golf tournament in August and the Foundation Dinner in April.

For further information on Light the Way, please contact Jodi Swan, Managing Director at 902-667-5400 ext.6126 or email jswan@ccdha.nshealth.ca.