Although we won’t be able to gather in Kaminski Park this year for Roswell Park’s annual Tree of Hope celebration, our 2020 virtual event promises to connect all of us in a new and deeply meaningful way through our virtual tree-lighting and the Wreaths of Hope contest.
You and your family can join in the fun two ways. First, gather around and tune in to WGRZ-TV, Channel 2, between 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, December 11, as the evening unfolds:
- Watch powerful video stories that will fill you with hope.
- Cheer as a very special pediatric patient lights our beautiful tree.
- Watch an ice sculpture take shape.
- Join in our annual candle-lighting tribute honoring friends and loved ones who have faced cancer.
During the broadcast, we’ll shine the spotlight on some of the lovely wreaths created for our Wreaths of Hope contest. Feeling creative? Make your own wreath, and you could win an iPad Pro! There’s still time to enter, but your entry must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 11. You’ll find all the details here. If you need ideas, check out our DIY Holiday Wreath video.
And in the meantime, take a look at some of the creative entries we’ve received so far — and find out what inspired them.
From Kelli: Hope and faith are everything when you receive a cancer diagnosis — and angels, from the angels up above to the angel doctors and nurses who care for you, not to mention the angel friends and family who pray for you.
Hearing the words You have cancer is never easy. I kept telling myself, Five years and I can breathe easier. I finally got to the five years! I got a call from my 30-year-old daughter: “Mom, I have breast cancer.” Nothing prepares you for that.
That was almost two years ago. I am happy to say we are both survivors.
I added a pink ribbon for her breast cancer, a purple ribbon for my pancreatic cancer and a gray ribbon for a dear friend of the family who lost his fight with a brain tumor. Sending prayers, angels, hope and faith to all who are battling this disease.
From Christine: This is a fabric candle wreath I made. The fabric is chosen for my husband. He did not get to go hunting this year because he is going through treatment at Roswell.
The candle light in the middle is the light at the end of the tunnel, and the lights intertwined in the wreath are the staff at Roswell, our family and our friends who are going to help us reach that light. May all find their light and the people to help them get there.
From Darlene: Hope was the motivation that kept me strong during my battle with cancer at age 47 — hope for a cure, hope for a long life, hope that I could be present when my daughters walked across a stage for college graduation or down the aisle in marriage — hope for every person fighting their own battle to win!
This wreath is in honor of Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, who inspired me to become a teacher so all my students could learn to read his books. During his own battle with cancer, he wrote Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, a story about life’s journey and challenges that continues to inspire all of us.