Lights of Life campaign
raises record amount
PRESQUE ISLE — TAMC’s Lights of Life campaign was brighter than ever in 2013, with the most successful fund drive in its six-year history. The hospital partnered with Clukey’s Auto Supply to raise more than $17,000.
Each year, Lights of Life helps light up Presque Isle over the holiday season, while giving hope by raising funds to support local cancer care. The money raised from this year’s activity will be used to support patients of TAMC’s Aroostook Cancer Care, helping individuals in need pay for travel and other expenses related to their cancer treatment. TAMC will be introducing this new cancer patient support fund later this year.
“Several of our patients travel great distances as we care for patients from Allagash to Island Falls and everywhere in-between,” said Brenda Baker, manager of TAMC’s Aroostook Cancer Care. “Cancer treatment can be a financial hardship for patients with expenses related to travel for treatment, diagnostic testing, insurance co-payments, etc. Patients receiving radiation therapy receive treatment five days per week, and — at times — chemotherapy can also be daily. Our patients are going through so much already, this support fund is a way to help ease some of that burden.”
The $17,000 was raised through the sale of lights for the 25-foot tree that was located in front of Clukey’s Auto Supply on Main Street in Presque Isle, as well as for smaller trees in Clukey’s Houlton and Caribou locations, in addition to the stars that topped each tree. A special tree-lighting ceremony was held during the annual Holiday Light Parade in Presque Isle in December.
This year’s Lights of Life project was held in memory of Tom Clukey, a local businessman and community leader who succumbed to cancer in 2013. Many friends and colleagues of Clukey opted to donate in his memory, while others made donations in memory or honor of their own loved ones who were touched by cancer.
“The money raised through Lights of Life will be able to help so many people,” said Gail Clukey, Tom’s widow. “This project is a great tribute to Tom and to all who have passed away from cancer, all the cancer survivors, and all those who are now battling this deadly disease. I want to thank everyone who so generously contributed to this project.”
Nearly 250 individuals, families and organizations donated to this year’s Lights of Life, purchasing more than 400 lights of varying colors. Donors honored 57 individuals, as well as all patients and the staff of Aroostook Cancer Care. Donations were also received in memory of 165 individuals and all fallen Presque Isle firefighters. The names of all those remembered and honored were listed on TAMC’s website, as well as on colored paper light bulbs in the windows of Clukey’s Auto Supply stores.
