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A Birthday Girl Supports Breast Cancer Cause

When you were turning 10, did you consider forgoing a birthday party and gifts so you could do a fundraiser for a local non-profit instead? Me either! However, the Thumb Area is blessed to have one little girl that did just that.

Kristanna VanEtten, a student of Marlette Elementary School, turned 10 years old on April 4th and presented a check for $1,000 to the B.C.U.P.S. program that same day. With the assistance of her family, Kristanna sold handmade pillow cases, bracelets, pins, and cookies throughout the month of March all in an effort to help women that are in need of financial assistance for important breast screenings.

The B.C.U.P.S. program of Marlette Regional Hospital provides free mammogram screenings to patients who are uninsured or do not have the financial means to pay for the screening. Additionally, the program recently expanded to help cover the cost associated with a diagnostic mammogram, breast ultrasound, or an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy for patients needing financial assistance.

When asking Kristanna how she came to select the B.C.U.P.S. program, she said she had heard of it before and asked her family for recommendations for causes in the area. Her mom added that she likes the color pink too, which may have influenced her choice for something breast cancer related as the primary color used in advertisements and promotion is pink.

MRH Foundation & Marketing Manager Sara Redman comments, “It is always neat and inspiring to see young people get involved in their community. When Kristanna’s grandmother approached me with this idea, I was flabbergasted to think this little girl was going to forgo the latest electronics or Barbies to support our B.C.U.P.S. program. But, thanks to Kristanna’s efforts and big heart, these life-saving screenings will continue to be available for patients who need the support.”

On the day of the check presentation, Kohler Oil & Propane—the program’s founder and contributor—brought over one of their pink trucks and presented Kristanna with a football jersey from the 2015 Pink Out for Cancer Clash that was hosted in Brown City.

For more information about the B.C.U.P.S. program, please visit www.marletteregionalhospital.org.

Photo: Ten year old Kristanna VanEtten presented a check for $1,000 to the B.C.U.P.S. program. Accepting the check was Ross McIvor of Kohler Oil & Propane and Sara Redman, Foundation and Marketing Manager of Marlette Regional Hospital. See more photos of Kristanna’s donation on Marlette Regional Hospital’s Facebook page.