The spirit of giving was truly embraced during the recent holiday season.

Women with low incomes in southwest Michigan are the welcome recipients, thanks to numerous community donors who support diagnostic mammography services at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac.

The Borgess Tree of Love 2012 campaign, sponsored by Borgess-Lee Memorial Foundation, reached $8,851 in total donations.

The fall campaign exceeded last year’s campaign total of $8,442 and was supported by more than 100 area donors.

“One out of every eight women – mothers, sisters, daughters, co-workers, friends and neighbors – will develop breast cancer during their lifetime,” said Beth Cripe, interim director, Lee Memorial Foundation.  “When breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 98 percent.  Unfortunately, national data show one in five women in Cass County does not have insurance for breast cancer detection and diagnostic mammography services.  The Tree of Love campaign helps these women beat the odds.”

Lee Memorial Foundation sponsors for the campaign included the following organizations and individuals:

Luminary Sponsors – Havel Brothers, Stephen E. Jefferson, MD; and Angel Sponsors – Creative Vinyl Signs, Dr. Matthew and Beth Cripe, R. James (deceased) and Barbara Guse, Hale’s True Value Hardware, Mike and Mary Hazen, Rich and Sue McCormick, and The Marshall Shoppe.

Since 1985, donors have supported the Borgess Tree of Love campaign so that countless women receive free diagnostic mammography services to identify breast cancer.  The campaign also provides an opportunity for donors to honor employees, colleagues, family and friends.

 

The Tree of Love campaign continues to welcome donors.  Tax-deductible donations may be made at www.treeoflove.borgess.com. Donor forms are also available for mail-in contributions by calling the Lee Memorial Foundation at (269) 783-3026.