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A Minnesota-based non-profit has teamed up with a local non-profit to create a fund to help offset travel expenses for Copper Country residents battling cancer.
The Keller Family Community Foundation has contributed $83,000 to start an endowment with the Portage Health Foundation.
Proceeds from the Keller Family Community Foundation “Ride with Claudia” Transportation Fund will be made available to confirmed residents of Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties who are receiving cancer-related medical care and treatment at UP Health System-Portage.
The Keller Foundation was founded in honor of Mary Jane Keller, who died of breast cancer in 2009 at the age of 56. Her son, Nick Keller, was a well-known distance snowmobiler, and the family began using snowmobile events to raise money to help those fighting cancer.
The KFCF has provided more than $500,000 in assistance to people in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, with more than $100,000 provided to our area.
Family member Julie (Keller) Dornbusch hopes the seed money for the endowment will be increased by local donations, to build the fund and provide as much assistance as possible.
Contributions to the Ride with Claudia fund may be made at phfgive.org.
