The Tree of Hope 2019 tree lighting and celebration will be held on Dec. 13 at Roswell Park

Roswell Park Celebrates 25 Years of the Tree of Hope

Free event features family-friendly fun and touching tribute to those affected by cancer

Highlights
  • Tree of Hope celebration takes place Friday, Dec. 13
  • 11-year-old cancer survivor Ella will light the Tree of Hope
  • Celebration and tree lighting to be aired live on WGRZ-TV Channel 2

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s 25th annual Tree of Hope lighting ceremony will draw cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and loved ones together for a holiday celebration Friday, Dec. 13, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Kaminski Park and Gardens on the Roswell Park campus. This free, family-friendly holiday celebration will be held in honor of all who are touched by cancer. It will include live music, carriage rides, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting and a gingerbread house raffle.

Guests can expect all the joys of the holiday season at this outdoor event, which is co-sponsored by WGRZ 2 On Your Side and the West Herr Automotive Group. The festivities will be hosted by Channel 2’s Maryalice Demler and Michael Wooten, and will culminate with the lighting of the Tree of Hope by 11-year-old Ella, a cancer survivor and member of the Courage of Carly Fund at Roswell Park.

This year’s event will feature a new Tree of Hope — a 25-foot evergreen trucked in from Barb and Jerry Kittle’s home in Westfield, N.Y., courtesy of Hohl Industrial Services. The Kittles donated the tree both in memory of a friend who passed away from cancer and to honor another who is in active treatment at Roswell Park.

The event will also feature a candle-lighting ceremony paying tribute to those we’ve lost to cancer, survivors and those still fighting the disease. Attendees will have the opportunity to write personal and inspirational messages on wreath ornaments to be placed on a holiday tree in the Roswell Park main lobby. Buildings across the city, including Roswell Park, will take part in the BuffaloLIT (Land Illumination Team) initiative, lighting up the skyline that evening in white in recognition of this year’s ceremony. Additionally, the 97Rock Tour Bus and DJ Jickster will be onsite with giveaways.

Other activities and attractions to be featured at this year’s Tree of Hope:

  • Performances by The Doyle Brothers, Ted Burzynski and the HyNotes/Friends of Harmony
  • Visits and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus
  • Horse-drawn carriage rides donated by the Collins Draft Horse, Ox, and Pony Club
  • Area mascots
  • Gingerbread house raffle
  • Face painting
  • SPoT Coffee, Paula’s Donuts, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., BJ’s Wholesale Club to provide refreshments – hot chocolate, apple cider, donuts and cookies
  • Animated light show
  • Light-up bracelets and headbands for sale at the Yroswell table
     

Guests may register to attend this free event by contacting 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or online at roswellpark.org/treeofhope. Free parking will be available in Roswell Park’s on-campus parking ramp, located at Carlton and Elm Streets in Buffalo.

Television viewers across Western New York, Western Pennsylvania and Southern Ontario can watch live coverage of the event on WGRZ-TV Channel 2 that evening beginning at 5 p.m., with streaming live coverage on WGRZ.com.

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Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.

 

Media Contact

Rebecca Vogt, Media Relations Specialist
716-845-4919; rebecca.vogt@roswellpark.org