Gallipolis, OH - The Gallia County Unit of the American Cancer Society is planning for Christmas with preparations in full swing for "Love Lights a Tree." This annual event gives area residents the opportunity to honor a special person during the holiday season and aid in cancer research.

The "Love Lights a Tree" project is designed to raise money not only for research, but includes cancer education and patient services, according to Bonnie McFarland and Jenni Dovyak, co-chairpersons for the holiday event. Donations in honor of and in memory of a special person can be made throughout the holiday season, but a special ceremony to launch the project will be held at the Holzer Center for Cancer Care on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 6:00 pm. The event will be held in the Center’s Healing Garden, located at 170 Jackson Pike in Gallipolis, just in front of Holzer Medical Center.

This year's personalized Christmas Ornament for the Love Lights a Tree project, which requires a $5 donation to the local American Cancer Society unit, will carry the name of the honoree, and be placed on a Christmas tree that will remain in the Holzer Center for Cancer Care’s Healing Garden throughout the Holiday season. A reading of the names will recognize all the honorees during the December 17th special ceremony. To order an ornament, please call Bonnie McFarland of Holzer Medical Center Community Health and Wellness, at (740) 446-5679.

"This is a wonderful way to pay tribute to a special person in your life, and know you are doing something positive in the battle against cancer," McFarland said. "It is also a great way to celebrate the holiday season in Gallia County, sharing an evening of remembrance with friends and family, while fighting for a good cause."

After the holiday season is over, these personalized ornaments may be picked up at the Cancer Resource Center in the Holzer Center for Cancer Care.

An open invitation is extended to anyone wishing to attend the "Love Lights a Tree" ceremony. If you would like to honor a special person for the Love Lights a Tree ceremony, please make sure all donations are made before 4 pm on Friday, December 14, so that names can be included in the ceremony. For more information about the Love Lights a Tree event, please call McFarland at (740) 446-5679.

Holzer Clinic… Medical Excellence, Local Caring.

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