ST. JOSEPH — The Lakeland Health Foundations will take part in the 2016 #GivingTuesday initiative, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.
Hosted annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday inspires people to take action to improve their local communities, give back to the charities and causes they celebrate and help create a better world.
This year’s #GivingTuesday donations will go to support the Marie Yeager Cancer Center at Lakeland Health.
The Cancer Center provides patients with access to comprehensive cancer care including the latest in technology, highly qualified medical professionals, and skilled partner physicians. Available programs and services focus on cancer prevention, detection, treatment, education and support to help provide the best possible quality of life for the residents of southwest Michigan.
According to the 2015 Cancer Care Report, a total of 954 cases were treated at Lakeland Health in 2014, with the top three most common cancer sites being female breast (155), prostate (144) and lung (130).
#GivingTuesday donations will help provide biopsies, colonoscopy medication, breast screening MRI’s, personal appearance items such as garments and wigs, nutritional supplements and transportation for patients regardless of their ability to pay.
“#GivingTuesday is a great way to support a program that impacts so many lives in our community,” said David Burghart, president of the Lakeland Health Foundations and vice president of philanthropy with Lakeland Health. “No matter how small or how large the donation, anyone can make a difference.”
For more information, call (269) 927-5145. To make a tax-deductible donation to the Lakeland Health Foundations #GivingTuesday initiative, visit lakelandhealthfoundations.org or on Facebook at bit.ly/MYCCGivingTuesday.