Tree of Love projects assists 500 women

Donations made to the annual Borgess Tree of Love will go toward free mammograms for 500 low-income women with no heath insurance.

The Borgess Tree of Love campaign, now in its 25th year, helps women identify breast cancer through mammograms and biopisies.

The assistance has been made possible as the campaign has exceeded its financial goal, having raised $41,200.

“More women will be helped by this extra kindness and additional contributions are warmly welcomed,” says Edie Alt, co-chairperson, Borgess Tree of Love.

The campaign provides an opportunity for donors to make tributes for employees, colleagues, family and friends. The names of donors and those receiving this special tribute will be listed on the Tree of Love website, and honorees receive an acknowledgment card in the mail.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women and affects approximately 1 million women worldwide. In the United States, one in eight women, during their lifetime, will develop breast cancer. 

It is estimated that one in every five women does not have insurance that covers breast cancer detection services such as mammography. A number of studies have shown that mammograms can reduce a woman’s risk of dying of breast cancer.

The Borgess Tree of Love is sponsored by the Borgess Volunteers and the Borgess Foundation. Major sponsors of the campaign include The Surgical Group of Southwest Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Kalamazoo Amusement, James R. Ryan Family Foundation, The Tyler Little Family Foundation and Water Street Coffee Joint.

The Borgess Foundation is a non-profit organization created to accept gifts on behalf of Borgess Health programs. Gifts to the Borgess Foundation, on behalf of the Borgess Volunteers, are tax-deductible.

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Edie Alt, Borgess Tree of Love