East Texas Medical Center Tyler will celebrate its
25th annual Christmas tree lighting on Tuesday,
Nov. 27, with Whitehouse elementary student Jason Ackerly lighting
the tree.
Ackerly, who has attended the ETMC Diabetes Boot Camp for
children with Type 1 diabetes, was diagnosed at the age of 5. Only
5 percent of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. In
Type 1, the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone
that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into
energy needed for daily life.
Ackerly is a fourth grade student at Brown Elementary in
Whitehouse. He has received perfect attendance awards since
kindergarten. He is a member of the National Elementary Honor
Society, Cub Scouts, enjoys piano, tennis and karate and is a
member of Dayspring Methodist Church. He wants to be a doctor who
helps kids with diabetes. He has a twin sister named Michelle and
has two older sisters, Kayla and Kristina. He's the son of Liisa
and Paul Ackerly.
The Brook Hill Lower School Cadet Singers under the direction of
Kelly Simmon will sing Christmas carols. Santa and two of his
reindeer will greet children on the front lawn of the hospital from
5-7 p.m. If you would like to have a photo, please bring your own
camera. The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m.
This is the third year for ETMC to use its living Christmas
tree, which was planted as part of the Tyler tree initiative,
created by Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass to promote tree conservation.
Each year, an ETMC related patient with a special story serves as
the hospital's tree lighting ambassador.