Tree of Life lights up to launch Angel Tree drive

November 08, 2018
Lit tree on Horseshoe
The tree in the heart of MUSC's campus is transformed for the holidays. Photos by Sarah Pack

Lights representing more than 100,000 babies born at MUSC Children’s Health since 1976 sparkled in the early evening on the “Tree of Life” last night as a gospel choir sang and leaders celebrated the start of the Angel Tree season at the Medical University of South Carolina. 

The Angel Tree program is a Salvation Army effort to encourage people to donate gifts to children whose families need a helping hand during the holidays. MUSC has been involved with the program for 15 years.

MUSC Health CEO and patient
Dr. Patrick Cawley and 18-year-old heart patient Tony Smalls. Smalls flipped the switch that lit the tree.
singers at tree lighting
The MUSC Gospel Choir performs at the tree lighting ceremony.
men shake hands
Dr. Pat Cawley holds a tag featuring the first "angel" of the season as he shakes hands with Salvation Army Captain Jason Burns.
Tony Smalls, center, with his father Antonio Smalls, Dr. Pat Cawley, MUSC Health nurse Hayley Small and Tony's mother, Danielle Smalls. The Smalls family lives in Goose Creek.
Tony Smalls, center, with his father Antonio Smalls, Dr. Pat Cawley, MUSC Health nurse Hayley Small and Tony's mother, Danielle Smalls.