DOWAGIAC, MI-When detected early, breast cancer is often more easily treated and women live longer. With this in mind, the Lee Memorial Foundation announces a new community fundraising campaign called the Borgess Tree of Love.

Community donations to the Borgess Tree of Love will help low-income, uninsured women receive mammography services at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital. Mammograms are crucial in detecting breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable.

Breast cancer claims the life of one American woman every 69 seconds. According to national data, it’s estimated that about 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 plans to raise $5,000 to support the Tree of Love campaign. “Through the generosity of our community, we hope to see our tree (located in Farr Park near the hospital) truly shine with thousands of pink lights,” said Karen Judd, chair, 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 on Wednesday, December 7 at 5:30 p.m. Separate lighting events will also take place in December at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo and Borgess-Pipp Hospital in Plainwell.