The Lee Memorial Foundation, of Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac, aims to help the annual Tree of Love shine a little brighter this year by urging citizens to donate to the 2012 campaign.

One out of every eight women — mothers, sisters, daughters, coworkers, friends and neighbors — will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. When breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 98 percent. Unfortunately, according to national data, one out of every five women in Cass County does not have insurance to cover breast cancer detection services like mammography.

In 2011, the Lee Memorial Foundation launched the first Borgess Tree of Love program in Cass County. Community donations to this campaign have assisted dozens of low-income women without health insurance to receive free mammograms and diagnostic mammography services at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.

Radiologists use diagnostic mammography to evaluate abnormalities (such as a lump, pain, changes in breast size or shape, or previous cancer) previously detected in a screening mammogram. Women who don’t have the resources to cover the initial screening mammogram often don’t have the means to afford further evaluation in the event an abnormality is detected.

In 2012, the Lee Memorial Foundation plans to raise $7,500 to support the Tree of Love campaign.

“Through the generosity of our community, we hope to see our tree truly shine with thousands of pink lights,” said Karen Judd, chairwoman, Lee Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees. “Every contribution counts. Your donation could provide a mammogram to an area woman — a relative, a friend, a neighbor — who can’t afford one, and that could save her life.”

Every $8 donation to the campaign will help a woman receive a mammogram, as well as allow donors to honor or remember someone important in their lives. Each honoree will be mailed a special “tribute” card. Every $80 donation will sponsor a mammogram for a woman and allow donors to honor or remember up to 10 people. To make a donation or learn more, call the Lee Memorial Foundation at (269) 783-3083.

The lighting of the Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital Tree of Love will take place in Farr Park at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29.