Local Care Makes a World of Difference

An Unexpected Discovery

An estimated one in eight women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. Kris Elbert became part of that statistic when she found a lump on her breast in January 2022.

An active and healthy woman, Kris was shocked by her discovery. Just three months prior, her routine mammogram had detected no abnormalities.

“I was in Florida when I got my cancer diagnosis, so we did the surgery and chemo in Florida,” Kris explained. “But we were thrilled to discover we could do radiation up here and not miss a summer in northern Michigan.”

A Jewel in the Community

Kris didn’t hesitate when deciding where to seek care upon her return to Michigan.

“Munson’s always been our medical home,” Kris shared. “We used to live in Chicago, too, and even in those days, we would come up to Munson for our physicians. We’ve had nothing but good experiences here.”

Kris’s experience at the Cowell Family Cancer Center was no less. She found the staff to be incredibly kind, and every one of her radiation appointments was quick and efficient.

“It was such a positive experience and I’ve told so many people ‘what a jewel we have here in our little community,’” Kris said. “We’re very lucky.”

From the Beginning

Kris and her family have lived in several different states. She currently splits her time between Florida and Michigan with her husband, Phil, although they both consider northern Michigan their true home.

“We miss it when we’re not here, and we’re thinking about it all the time,” Kris said.

Their love for northern Michigan is one of the reasons the Elbert family founded the Blue Waters Foundation in 2011.

Kris is passionate about supporting her communities through philanthropy, and operating the foundation allows her to do just that. Kris currently serves as president and is proud to have her husband, two children, and their spouses join her in this work.

“We really wanted to get our kids involved in charitable giving,” Kris said. “It’s been very valuable to all of us to really think through and focus on what our objectives are and who we want the beneficiaries to be.”

Munson Healthcare has been part of the Elberts’ charitable giving from the beginning. But supporting local healthcare became much more personal after Kris received her diagnosis in 2022.

When the Elberts heard Munson Healthcare Foundations was seeking funding for a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner, the entire family was on board. This critical piece of equipment detects small cancerous tumors that are often missed with other radiological technology and can help monitor the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

Through the Blue Waters Foundation, Kris and her family committed $350,000 to support the purchase and installation of a PET scanner at the Cowell Family Cancer Center.

“I’ve had 3 PET scans now, all in Florida, but my most recent one was completely clear,” Kris shared. “I think that really hit home for me when thinking about the PET equipment – what an enormous relief that test can provide to individuals.”

Grateful for Every Day

A fixed PET scanner was installed at the Cowell Family Cancer Center in November 2022, replacing the facility’s previous mobile unit. At the time of installation, only four other facilities in the entire state of Michigan offered this level of cancer care.

Kris now has peace of mind knowing that should the need arise, her loved ones will have nearby access to the care they need.

“I’m just so thrilled that it’s available,” Kris said. “I hope that none of my friends and neighbors have to have PET scans or have any reason to have PET scans. 

But to be able to have that locally and not travel… it would make a world of difference.”

Kris has completed her cancer treatment and is celebrating remission by doing more of the things she loves: traveling, riding her e-bike along the beautiful trails in northern Michigan, boating on Torch Lake, and spending time with family.

“I’m grateful for every day,” Kris said. “I was really lucky to have the care that I had.”

Support Local Healthcare Today

To learn more about the various ways to make a gift, including gifts made through a multi-year pledge or commitment, your IRA, donor-advised fund, life insurance policy, estate plans, or other planned giving vehicle, please contact our Planned Giving team at legacy@mhc.net.

Donor support – in any amount – makes it possible for people like Kris to receive the life-changing care they need. Thank you for your generosity!