Milford Regional’s Annual Tree Lighting Event Celebrates Hope and Life

More than 200 people attended the annual Tree of Life event at Milford Regional Medical Center Monday night, celebrating life and paying tribute to those who have survived cancer, battled the disease or have been touched by cancer.

This year, the annual event raised $13,500 for the Oliva Fund for Cancer Care at Milford Regional. The fund is named in honor of the Oliva Family of Milford and provides oncology patients with support during their treatment at the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center at Milford Regional.

The Tree of Life celebration includes shared stories and a musical selection of holiday songs before friends, family and cancer survivors walk a path lit by tribute luminaries to the front of the hospital where the Tree of Life is lit. Each light on the tree symbolizes a loved one affected by cancer, and the tree remains lit during the holiday season to serve as a reminder of hope in the fight against cancer. 

This year, the tree was lit in special honor of David Morganelli, a true “Milfordian” and active member of the local community for many years before passing away after a brief battle with cancer at age 47.

The tree was lit by David’s wife, Janet Morganelli, and their children, Peter, Ava and Jane.

To make an online donation to the Oliva Fund please visit foundation.milfordregional.org/waystogive or contact the Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation Office at (508) 422-2228. 

Pictured from left to right: Peter, Ava, Janet and Jane Morganelli attend the annual Tree of Life ceremony at Milford Regional Medical Center in honor of their father and husband, David Morganelli who passed away at age 47 after a brief battle with cancer.