To know why organizers with the Lee Memorial Foundation’s Tree of Love program dedicate their time to the annual fundraiser, all one has to do read one of the testimonials from women who benefit from the effort.

One such letter came from a Dowagiac woman named Vicki, who, at 35, discovered a lump growing on one of her breasts. With her sister diagnosed with breast cancer at 37, Vicki worried she too had developed the deadly disease — though she did not have money to pay for testing.

Thanks to money from the Tree of Love campaign, the woman was able to visit Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital to have a mammogram as well as further testing performed, which showed Vicki was cancer free.

“The Tree of Love took care of everything,” said Beth Cripe, development coordinator with the Lee Memorial Foundation. “It is the exact message we want to send local women. They do not have to be scared to get a mammogram because of their financial situation. There is an option for them.”

Right now, Cass County residents are encouraged to do their part to ensure this option remains available to others.

The foundation is currently accepting donations for this year’s Tree of Love Campaign, looking to raise $8,000. The money will go toward paying for breast cancer screenings for uninsured or underinsured woman living in Cass County.

The foundation will host its annual tree lighting ceremony for the campaign at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Farr Park, outside Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac. Speaking during the event will be Maxine Ownby, a breast cancer survivor and president of Cass County Cancer Services, a local cancer support group.

The ceremony will be capped off by the lighting of the Tree of Love itself, with each light on the tree representing a donation of $8 or more, made in honor someone affected by breast cancer, Cripe said.

“It is a beautiful ceremony on what should be a beautiful night,” Cripe said. “We keep things short and sweet, but it is a moving event. We encourage people to come experience it, whether they are a cancer survivor or not.”

Started by Borgess Health nearly 30 years ago, the Lee Memorial Foundation adopted the campaign for the Dowagiac hospital six years ago, which has grown steadily ever since, Cripe said. This year’s goal is the largest yet, with many new donors stepping up this year to pitch in, she said.

People can donate to the Tree of Love at several levels. An $8 donation allows one to place a light on the tree, while an $80 donation — the full price of a mammogram — allows someone to dedicate 10 lights, Cripe said. Other donations levels include a $250 “angel donor,” a $500 “luminary donor” and a $1,000 “tree donor.”

People’s donations will go toward helping a fellow resident of Cass County, Cripe said.

“Chances are their donation will help out a friend, a family member or someone they have a connection with,” Cripe said. “It makes them feel good, to know they are helping someone nearby.”

The foundation is raising money for the program through the end of the year. People wanting to contribute can leave a donation with the Dowagiac Honor Credit Branch, on M-51, or contact Cripe at (269) 783-3026 or at beth.cripe@ascension.org.