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Date: 12/15/2020
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Center of Human Development (CHD) Cancer House of Hope hosted its annual luminaria to honor the lives of those affected by cancer.
During the event, which took place on Dec. 8 at the West Springfield Town Common, hundreds of candlelit luminary bags dedicated by friends and loved ones of those impacted by cancer lit the pathway in memory and honor of their lives.
According to the CHD, the luminaria recognizes those who have lost their life to cancer and those who continue to walk along their cancer journeys.
All of the online orders and proceeds from this event will help the Cancer House of Hope provide counseling support, healing therapies, and wellness programs to those in the community impacted by cancer, according to the organization’s website. The people they help include those who are newly diagnosed, those going through treatment, and those stepping out into recovery.
“There is quite a bit of preparation,” said Margaret Toomey, program director for the Cancer House of Hope. “We’ve already started thinking for next year…But it is mainly a group effort of volunteers.”
Toomey and about 35 socially-distanced volunteers put labels on 600 to 700 sandbags, while Pilgrim Candle Company in Westfield provided the candles for the event. According to Toomey, Pilgrim was “gracious enough” to provide a discount to the Cancer House of Hope.
“And then of course we have our youth involved with setting the bags out alphabetically on the green,” said Toomey. “And they did a great job for us.”
The youth volunteers were at the Town Common for two hours prior to the event setting up these sandbags, according to Toomey. The organization also had a cleanup crew come through after the event to make sure everything was cleared from the premises.
“It’s just a coordination type deal, where you get everyone working together,” said Toomey. “I’m fortunate to work with a great group of people from 80 years old to 16- and 17-year-olds.”
The Cancer House of Hope also offered a “luminaria at home kit” option for those who wanted to participate in the event from their own home. According to Toomey, volunteers came in to put a tissue in each bag and tie a ribbon around for those people who wanted to participate in the kit option.
Before 2020, the Cancer House of Hope would host the Luminaria event at the Storrowton Tavern & Carriage House. Due to COVID-19, the organization decided that it was best to move it to the roomier Town Common, according to Toomey.
“We thought it would be a great opportunity to open it up to the public eye, where they could actually drive by in a car and see it,” said Toomey. “I’ve gotten some good reviews from people … They liked it on the Town Common.”
Toomey said that all of the services offered at the House of Hope are free, so fundraising efforts are “crucial” when it comes to keeping programs up and running.
“Someone going through cancer, that’s on their cancer journey, it’s hard enough for them to fight that battle,” said Toomey. “I think this lighting a candle and having the community see – it’s like a light of hope for them. It’s a way to bring the community together.”
As of right now, 90 percent of programs at the House of Hope have transitioned to a virtual format. According to Toomey, they conduct virtual yoga classes twice a week, virtual cooking show demonstrations once a week, and a socially-distanced walking group, among other programs.
“It’s been hard because a lot of these people, when they come to the house, it’s a matter of communicating with other people in their same situation,” said Toomey. “That bond isn’t there, but we’re trying to bridge that gap by offering the virtual programming.”
Toomey thanked all of the supporters and volunteers who have made these programs possible, and also shine a light on their hair interruption program. The House of Hope asks wig consultants to create wigs for patients who have lost hair through cancer. The House of Hope offers drive-by pickups for that program due to COVID-19.
“I think our volunteers have done a great job in keeping up with the volume,” said Toomey. “Even though it is COVID, we are still going every day.”