Mackinac Straits Health System: Hooping for a Cure

An entire community in northern Michigan, led by a collaboration between the local hospital and high school in St. Ignace, has banded together to help their neighbors who receive a cancer diagnosis.

The effort started as an idea from Edward Smith, MD, an oncologist at Mackinac Straits Health System (MSHS) to alleviate the financial burden that the families of a cancer patient experience. It grew into a fundraiser, that for the past 11 years, has brought the community together at the LaSalle High School Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team’s Hooping for a Cure basketball game.

“Not only does a [cancer] diagnosis affect a family, a person, emotionally and physically, but it can be a huge financial burden,” said Cindy Pierson, a St. Ignace resident and MSHS oncology patient.

Serving patients in Mackinac and Cheboygan Counties, MSHS provides oncology services and infusion treatment, but patients must travel to Metro Detroit or farther to access specialized cancer treatments.

The annual “Hooping for a Cure” fundraiser was created by the Mackinac Straits Health Foundation to provide financial assistance for travel and lodging for cancer patients who must travel to larger health systems for treatment. The LaSalle High School players have embraced the game, where they even wear specialty themed pink uniforms.

“The whole community comes together, and we played to help raise money and funds for our hospital, so we could try to help make a difference for those fighting this disease,” said Madison Olsen, 2019 grad and co-captain of the LaSalle High School Varsity Girls’ Basketball team.

“You can really see how many people are affected by cancer,” said Pierson. “The gymnasium floor is full of families and friends who are honoring either people who have passed, or are fighting this disease. Knowing that we as cancer patients have the support of our community is just an amazing thing.”

Support comes not only from students and the high school staff, but local businesses as well.

“It’s really an honor to be part of a community that really comes together,” said Karen Cheeseman, CEO, Mackinac Straits Health System. “It’s amazing what can be done in just one evening. To be a part of that and to see all of the students, athletes, coaches and just all of the team members of the hospital, as well as many communities come together, is pretty special.”

A record $25,000 was raised on January 24, 2019, when the St. Ignace Lady Saints hosted the Cedarville Trojans. During the history of the Hooping for a Cure fundraiser, nearly $180,000 has been raised for Mackinac Straits Health System’s oncology department and patients.

Learn more at mackinacstraitshealth.org.