Gridley Lions Club came out to help Orchard Hospital celebrate the heroic fight of cancer patients, cooking and serving up a free meal for attendees. Photo by Seti Long

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Over 100 luminaries were set along the facade of Orchard Hospital’s Medical Specialty Center, a light inside each shining in tribute to those who have fought or are fighting cancer.

Orchard Hospital held the Luminaries event the evening of Tuesday, October 17th in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month or Pink October. The event invited the community to join in honoring the patients and fellow community members that have survived, are fighting, or have lost the battle with cancer.

The Luminaries event returns after a year’s hiatus. Hospital marketing and community outreach Sarah Bosen says that the luminary bags were made available for the public to pick up and decorate prior to the event. The returned bags, emblazoned with words of motivation, hope, and pink ribbons, would have a light lit and placed inside to honor a cancer warrior regardless of their presence at the event.

The Gridley Lions Club cooked a free BBQ meal for those in attendance, while guests visited with Orchard staff, partook of educational information, entered drawings to win prizes, and children took advantage of a craft table and glow sticks. Luminary bags returned to the hospital for the event were assembled, lit, and displayed that evening so that everyone present could see their light shining.

Around 7:00 pm, hospital CEO Steve Stark quieted the small crowd and called for a moment of silence in remembrance of those lost to cancer. He then thanked everyone for coming out in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A special thanks went out to those that made the evening possible.

Children enjoyed decorating their own luminary bags at the craft table and other activities at the luminary event. Photo by Seti Long

Luminary bags illuminate the front of the Medical Specialty Center in honor of Pink October. Photo by Seti Long