(St. George, UT) - Over 100 community members—among them, volunteer tree designers, tree sponsors and both volunteer and hospital leadership—recently gathered to kick-off the effort for St. George’s largest community fundraising festival—the Foundation of Dixie Regional’s Jubilee of Trees, November 15 -19, 2012 in the Dixie Convention Center.

Each year, when asked why they get involved, to a person these volunteers say they are inspired by the difference they’re making in people’s lives—all by helping ensure the best healthcare available, right here at home.

This year, they had the chance to hear and see that difference, up close and personally. To a person, they were moved beyond words.

Caleene Julian, guest speaker for the kick-off, serves as a walking testimonial to the positive impact of The Jubilee—because Julian is a Breast Cancer Survivor. She made it very clear she wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for The Jubilee and its efforts to fight this life-threatening disease.

In 2010, The Jubilee focused on raising funds to support Breast Cancer Care and Services at Dixie Regional. One of its signature programs--the Mammogram 500, a collaboration among the hospital, its foundation and other entities--worked to provide 500 free mammograms to women who met certain criteria and were residents of Washington County. It was a program of which Julian was unaware—that is, until the following year, when she passed by a "Mammo 500" booth at the "What Women Want" Expo at the Dixie Convention Center in October 2011.

It was there she received a screening through the “Mammo 500” program that saved her life.

Julian kept the audience spellbound as she related the rollercoaster of thoughts and emotions as she went from screening to diagnosis to treatment—and then remission. She said she knows she’s not alone, but is just one deeply grateful example of the hundreds of women who are still today being helped through this program.

Within her poignant story, Julian asked, “What if I had not stopped by the Mammogram 500 booth and pulled together all the patience and courage I had to go through this very simple screening procedure? Well, I might not be here today. That day brought home what's important in life. That it's important--vital--to take of yourself...not just for yourself, but for those you love. The day brought home the message of how important it is to have a yearly mammogram. Had it not been for the Mammo 500 program, I would not have had a mammogram that day--and perhaps delayed this lifesaving process indefinitely.

“I owe my life and deepest gratitude to so many—but especially The Jubilee of Trees, its Mammography 500 team... my doctor and surgeon....to my mom for her insistence that day that I go forward with the mammogram...and my friends and loved ones who supported me after my diagnosis. They are all my angels."

In 2012, The Jubilee—as well as the upcoming Rulan D. Woodbury Jubilee Classic Charity Golf Tournament and Evening Classic social, May 16 -18, 2012—will work to raise funds to advance lifesaving neuro, emergency and trauma care—specifically by elevating the hospital's trauma services from the current level three to a level two emergency response. Such advancements in emergency services will be critical to help Dixie Regional bring neurosurgery on board and provide the lifesaving services to treat a broad spectrum of patients—from those suffering head trauma to stroke—that have previously required transport to larger metropolitan medical centers for care.

These advancements will mean lives saved through time saved in treating such patients locally.

To get involved with The Jubilee call (435) 251-2480 or, go to www.dixieregional.org/foundation.