From the Duke Cancer Institute archives. Content may be out of date.
More than 3,000 Duke Cancer Institute community members came together virtually on Thursday, December 3, for the Nancy Weaver Emerson 30th Annual Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony to honor loved ones and recognize those whose lives have been touched by cancer.
The lights on these beautiful trees at Duke Cancer and Duke Cancer Center Raleigh represent and illuminate HOPE that outshines the darkness it is surrounded by. This year we celebrated our healthcare heroes for their continued commitment to care for our patients, their loved ones and the community despite all the challenges and uncertainties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two patients and their families shared how they have been impacted by cancer and the remarkable services they received from our cancer support team that helped them find their place and made the journey easier for them.
Our Duke Cancer Institute team members expressed their gratitude to the patients for allowing them to be a part of their cancer journey. They also recognized the many heroes involved in the cancer process including those cleaning the rooms, making the meals, drawing blood and those who give life every day through medications and treatments. All of us work together as a team to care for the whole patient and help them get to the other side.
Please take a moment to enjoy the recording of the event.
We would like to extend our appreciation for all who joined us for the remarkable 30th Annual Tree of Hope Ceremony and thank those who purchased tribute cards and more 500 luminaries in honor of our healthcare heroes and support the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program - which provides critical services and support to patients at Duke Cancer Institute and in the community, who are battling cancer.
The luminaries were lit on December 3 and they will remain lit through December 31 in the Garden of Tranquility in front of the Duke Cancer Center and in the Duke Raleigh Garden adjacent to Duke Cancer Center Raleigh.
Duke Cancer Institute kicked off its first signature fundraising event with a powerful show of support for cancer research, innovation, and patient care. Duke Rides, held on October 3 in Wilson Gym, united more than 1,100 donors, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters in a shared mission to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.Duke-blue strobe lights and high-energy music like Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” and Britney Spears “Hit Me Baby One More Time” kept everyone energized while they took turns cycling on stationary bikes. During rider changes, cancer survivors told their stories, with members of their care teams at their sides.“Raising more than $675k in our first year is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Diane Reidy-Lagunes, MD, physician vice president of cancer services, Duke University Health System.“What makes this event so special is the way it brings together the entire Duke community—our patients and families, physicians, nurses, researchers, staff, students, alumni, and friends. We are united by a shared commitment to beating cancer and being part of something bigger than any one of us,” said Reidy-Lagunes."We have wanted a signature event for many years," said Debbie Taylor, assistant vice president, Duke Cancer Institute and Duke Children’s Development. "But we don't have a big events team, which makes getting something like this off the ground incredibly difficult. We are so grateful for the colleagues and donors who stepped up and helped us turn an idea into a reality."Among the event’s top fundraisers was a team led by Tony and Teddie Brown, which raised an impressive $233, 859.For Tony Brown, supporting Duke Rides is deeply personal. A Professor of the Practice Emeritus in Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy, where he taught for 28 years, Brown has experienced firsthand the impact of exceptional care. His treatment under Hope Uronis, MD, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist, and his broader care team inspired him to help ensure that other patients receive the same support.“The care I’ve received from Dr. Uronis and my entire team has been remarkable,” Brown said. “The combination of competence, compassion, and collaboration has meant more to me than words can express,” said Brown.Lenny Santoro, another survivor, echoed that sentiment. "I'm here today because of the excellent care that I received more than eight years ago for my prostate cancer. And because of three clinical trials that Dr. Dan George and Duke gave me the opportunity to join," he said.Other top fundraising teams included the Duke Alumni for Cancer Survival and those supporting the following disease groups: pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, genitourinary cancers (prostate and urologic), and pediatric cancers.The funds raised will provide much needed support for research aimed at improving treatment options and outcomes for cancer patients."Next time," said Taylor, "our goal is to raise over a million."
Duke Cancer Institute kicked off its first signature fundraising event with a powerful show of support for cancer research, innovation, and patient care. Duke Rides, held on October 3 in Wilson Gym, united more than 1,100 donors, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters in a shared mission to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.Duke-blue strobe lights and high-energy music like Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” and Britney Spears “Hit Me Baby One More Time” kept everyone energized while they took turns cycling on stationary bikes. During rider changes, cancer survivors told their stories, with members of their care teams at their sides.“Raising more than $675k in our first year is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Diane Reidy-Lagunes, MD, physician vice president of cancer services, Duke University Health System.“What makes this event so special is the way it brings together the entire Duke community—our patients and families, physicians, nurses, researchers, staff, students, alumni, and friends. We are united by a shared commitment to beating cancer and being part of something bigger than any one of us,” said Reidy-Lagunes."We have wanted a signature event for many years," said Debbie Taylor, assistant vice president, Duke Cancer Institute and Duke Children’s Development. "But we don't have a big events team, which makes getting something like this off the ground incredibly difficult. We are so grateful for the colleagues and donors who stepped up and helped us turn an idea into a reality."Among the event’s top fundraisers was a team led by Tony and Teddie Brown, which raised an impressive $233, 859.For Tony Brown, supporting Duke Rides is deeply personal. A Professor of the Practice Emeritus in Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy, where he taught for 28 years, Brown has experienced firsthand the impact of exceptional care. His treatment under Hope Uronis, MD, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist, and his broader care team inspired him to help ensure that other patients receive the same support.“The care I’ve received from Dr. Uronis and my entire team has been remarkable,” Brown said. “The combination of competence, compassion, and collaboration has meant more to me than words can express,” said Brown.Lenny Santoro, another survivor, echoed that sentiment. "I'm here today because of the excellent care that I received more than eight years ago for my prostate cancer. And because of three clinical trials that Dr. Dan George and Duke gave me the opportunity to join," he said.Other top fundraising teams included the Duke Alumni for Cancer Survival and those supporting the following disease groups: pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, genitourinary cancers (prostate and urologic), and pediatric cancers.The funds raised will provide much needed support for research aimed at improving treatment options and outcomes for cancer patients."Next time," said Taylor, "our goal is to raise over a million."
