Light Up a Life Ceremony to Include Tribute to a Hospice Founder
| Date Posted: 11/2/2016
PINEHURST – Nearly 40 years ago, medical oncologist David G. Allen, M.D., helped start the Hospice movement in Moore County.
Earlier this year, during the last days of his life, Dr. Allen was served by the organization he had championed.
The original Sandhills Hospice is now FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care, which on Nov. 17 will host the 2016 Light Up a Life ceremony. The program, which will begin at 5 p.m. on the FirstHealth Hospice campus near Pinehurst, will include a tribute to Dr. Allen.
“David agreed that Hospice was integral to the care of cancer patients,” says his friend and former colleague, Michael C. Rowland, M.D. “To do anything less, he said, would be to offer an incomplete medical care delivery system.”
The annual Light Up a Life program gives participants the opportunity to remember relatives and friends who have passed on while honoring those who survive, including the FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care staff.
“Each light on our illuminated trees represents a contribution to support the mission of FirstHealth Hospice and reflects a true symbol of holiday giving to benefit others throughout this special season,” says Tina Gibbs, director of FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care. “These and other contributions from the community ensure that all FirstHealth Hospice patients and their families are treated with dignity and respect and that care is provided for anyone needing hospice services, regardless of their ability to pay.”
A reception will follow the Light Up a Life ceremony, which is hosted by the FirstHealth Hospice Foundation.
FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care is located at 251 Campground Road, just off Highway 15-501 north of Pinehurst. For more information on Light Up a Life or other Hospice programs, call The Foundation of FirstHealth at (910) 695-7500.
