CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The American Cancer Society’s Love Lights a Tree annual event celebrated it’s 30th year running on Sunday evening with a ceremony at Tennova Healthcare in Clarksville.
Love Lights a Tree is a community event that supports the organization’s efforts to find a cure for cancer. The Clarksville Love Lights a Tree event honors and remembers those who have died from cancer and honors cancer survivors. Clarksville has the longest continuous running Love Lights a Tree campaign in the nation.
Each year nominations are accepted for the honorary chairperson, who is a person that’s recovered from or is currently being treated for cancer in Clarksville-Montgomery County.
The honorary chairperson’s identity is kept secret until the tree lighting ceremony.
Daryle Grenead, a teacher of 41 years, was this year’s honorary chairperson. Sunday evening co-chair of the event Lynne Griffey announced Grenead as the 2019 honorary chairperson for Love Lights a Tree and as the announcement was made, a Christmas tree was lit on the lawn of Tennova Healthcare.
Grenead became emotional as he spoke to the crowd.
“It’s really humbling and lets you know how much people love you,” Grenead said. “It makes you feel good when that many people are thinking about you.”
He added that cancer is a struggle and it takes a lot from you. While now cancer-free, he continues to face some side effects and complications as he recovers from the intensive surgery.
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts and First Lady Cindy Pitts were in attendance for the event and music was provided by the Clarksville High School Choir directed by Stella McKnight.
Funds are raised by offering the opportunity for individuals to purchase lights in honor of, or in memory of, someone who is affected by cancer. Donations are $5 per light or $100 for a full strand and are still being accepted.
To learn more about Love Lights a Tree and the American Cancer Society visit www.cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345.
