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Rapides Cancer Center hosts ‘Blessings of Life’ service

October 23, 2012

It is a celebration of faith, hope and healing.

It is also a time to honor the memories of loved ones overcome by cancer.

The Rapides Cancer Center will host the sixth “Blessings of Life” ecumenical memorial service on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Bolton Chapel at Emmanuel Baptist Church in downtown Alexandria.

The service is designed for cancer patients, survivors, family members and friends across central Louisiana.

“During the Thanksgiving season, we’re reminded to take pause and recognize our many blessings in life,” said Karen Hathorn, RN MSN, Director of Oncology Services at Rapides Regional Medical Center. “This memorial service is a way for our cancer patients, their friends and families to celebrate the faith, hope and healing they experience on a daily basis.”

The service will include music, poetry and a time of silent reflection. “It isn’t a traditional worship service. It includes various faith traditions because cancer doesn’t differentiate between denominations,” said Lee Weems, D.Min., Emmanuel Baptist Church associate pastor.

The service also offers participants an environment where it’s OK to grieve. “This is really a time and a place where we can honor the memory of lost and loved ones,” Hathorn said. “Some use it as a way of letting go.”

“Grief often combines both tears and laughter,” Weems said. “We fashion the service around the idea that each person who comes into our life leaves a blessing. In the struggle of life, a lot of times the biggest blessing is people.”

This event is open to anyone who’s lost a loved one to cancer, is currently undergoing treatment or is a cancer survivor. The family, friends and caregivers of those touched by cancer are also invited to attend.

Refreshments will be served following the program. Pre-registration is encouraged. Please call 769-4440, or register online at rapidesregional.com.

Emmanuel Baptist Church is located at 430 Jackson Street, Alexandria.

Eventbrite - Blessings of Life 2012