The Shadow
Dear Sir,
On July 28, the newly decorated lobby of LewisGale Hospital-Alleghany was filled with folks that came to the Cancer Center Cupcake Tree Ceremony. They were anxious to hear their loved ones name recognized.
The Rev. Billy Price from Faith Baptist Church read the In Honor list. He is a cancer survivor himself and gave a testimony. The Rev. Bill Gilliland from First Christian Church read the In Memory list.
There was one name omitted from the In Honor list which was Delmas Hyler.
There were four names omitted from the In Memory list which were: Bill Austin, Carole Austin, Richard G. Crosier and Joyce Masters Scruggs. These were not listed in the newspaper listing and we do not want to slight anyone as all the names are so important to the folks buying the cupcakes.
Our ceremony was dedicated to Jo Josephson of Lexington. Jo had been a volunteer in our local Cancer Center.
To highlight our ceremony, Evelee Wheeler from Staunton, was guest speaker. She spoke about her years with Jo as “Bosom Buddies.” This was a group of women that fought for breast cancer for 19 years. They went everywhere and did whatever was needed to fight for the cause. Jo was well prepared in how to relate to all the patients in the center.
Her daughters and granddaughter came over from Lexington and surrounding areas to the ceremony which made it more special for us.
Theresa McCoy sang “I Will Love You Through It” by Martina McBride and “The Lamb.” Everyone enjoyed her music and the songs were a blessing for remembering and healing.
A&B Bakery furnished all the refreshments. They made cupcakes in different colors of icing to represent all types of cancer. The table was beautifully decorated.
The Piecemakers of Covington donated a quilt to be raffled. The group consists of Susan Livick, Rosemary Newcomb, Beverly Hepler, Virginia McCoy, Wanda Via Dameron, Arleigh St. Clair, Mary Perry, Anita Redman and Katrinka Poage. The quilt was won by Aline Mattox.
Renee Bethel made and donated a pink and brown cancer ribbon throw. The throw was won by Jennie Hatcher. Renee is a cancer survivor herself.
A Dooney & Burke floral printed satchel donated anonymously was won by Dreama Miller. Thank you to all that took chances and the ones that donated.
Thanks to Phyllis Givens, Sarah Burnette and Margaret Ryan for setting up with me at Wal-Mart. Margaret and I even braved the rain and sold chances. Several people were selling chances for me. I need to give them a special thank you.
They were Jean Ann Anderson, Jenny Crowder, Donna Ward and Dr. Weidman’s Office.
Pat Griffin even sold cupcakes on a bus trip and a Missions Group meeting. They were there for me and I really appreciated it.
The Virginian Review gave us great coverage and was very helpful. Horton Beirne went out of his way to assist us. Kirsten Richardson gave us good coverage of our ceremony.
The radio station announced the ceremony frequently. And let’s not forget Face Book. Even if you did not take a cupcake, everyone enjoyed our tree and the meaning behind it.
Greg Madsen, CEO of the hospital, was gracious to let us use the new decorated lobby to have our ceremony and supported us in our cause.
The door prizes were donated by Evelee Wheeler, Priscilla Redman, Daisy Blankenship, D. J. Bailey, Bonnie Barton, Charlie Barton, Aline Mattox and myself. Thank you to all these folks for contributing so many items.
Please keep my special friend, Priscilla Redman, in your prayers. She assisted me last year with our ceremony and has been my partner in this personal ministry for three and a half years. She has been a cheerleader for fighting cancer to so many people. I really missed her smiling face this year. And pray for all the other folks that are going through treatments and praise the ones that are survivors. The survivors can give the others Courage, Faith, Hope, Stre-ngth and Encouragement That was our focus for the ceremony.
The money raised from the cupcakes and raffles is used for our local Cancer Center.
One cupcake will buy 12 cans of soda or several bottles of water. You can donate any time of the year by sending a check to: First National Bank, 151 North Court Avenue, Covington, Virginia 24426. Make the check out to: ARH Cancer Center Fund.
We are fortunate to live in such a caring and giving community. It is not always about us. Reaching out to others can be a blessing. We hope to see all of you and more again next year. Thank you again and God Bless.
Sincerely,
Marilyn K. Bailey
ARH Cancer Center Fund
Low Moor
