By SALLY YORK, Argus-Press Staff Writer
MIDDLEBURY TWP. — Rae-Ann Hartsuff is battling a health and financial crisis no one should have to go through.
The 29-year-old was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2008. The disease went into remission after surgery and radiation but returned this year.
To make matters even worse, the 2000 graduate of Ovid Elsie High School is burdened with more than $50,000 in unreimbursed medical bills.
Enter Peggy Leonard, a longtime friend of Hartsuff’s mother, Chris Hartsuff, who has a daughter the same age as Rae-Ann Hartsuff.
Leonard and her husband John have organized a unique fundraiser to help Hartsuff with her mounting medical bills: They are asking community members to donate old scrap metal to be exchanged for cash.
“You just think of your own kid going through this — it’s tough. Can you imagine being 29 years old and facing this?” Betty Leonard said Wednesday. “They’re such a strong, positive-thinking family, and they’re looking for everyone’s prayers.
“I hope God is listening. I’m sure he is.”
From July 18 through July 29, Ovid Iron and Metal, located at 611 W. Williams Road in Ovid, will be accepting scrap metal items as donations to the Rae-Ann Hartsuff Fundraiser.
Any scrap metal is welcome, for example old refrigerators and farm equipment, garden tools, stoves, bikes, junk cars with a clear title, copper, brass, stainless steel sinks, aluminum siding, electrical wire, copper pipe, etc.
Leonard said she got the idea from her husband, John, who owns All-Tech Automotive & Towing in Laingsburg and deals with a lot of scrap metal.
“I kept trying to think of a way to make this fundraiser beneficial,” Peggy Leonard said. It occurred to her that “a lot of people have scrap. It’s not anything they need; it’s just laying in the yard.”
People are encouraged to drop off donated items themselves, but if that isn’t possible, John Leonard, Hartsuff’s father Jeff Hartsuff and brother Jeffrey Hartsuff are available for pick up and delivery to the collection site. To arrange for pickup service, call (517) 651-5116 or (989) 834-5600.
For those who don’t have scrap metal but would like to help, cash donations can be made to the Rae-Ann Hartsuff Fund account at Citizens Bank in Elsie.
When Hartsuff was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, she had no medical insurance to cover the hefty bill she racked up for surgery to remove a lymph node and radiation treatment. She suffered a relapse in January, with the cancer moving from her chest to her stomach, and although this time she had some medical coverage, the insurance company considers her disease a pre-existing condition and has refused to pay all of her latest medical expenses, her mother said.
The costs are exorbitant. For example, one chemotherapy pill costs $3,000.
“There’s not a lot of funding out there for people in my age group,” Hartsuff said. “I’d like to take care of it on my own, but I can’t. I can’t repay people for their help; I can only thank them.”
Hartsuff is currently undergoing chemotherapy, which leaves her tired, weak and in pain, she said. Still, she is putting in as many hours as she can from home for her job at the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Shiawassee County. She is also in the process of earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Baker College’s online program, but her college plans are on hold this summer due to her poor physical condition.
After she graduates from college, Hartsuff said she plans to continue working at the Child Abuse Prevention Council (also known as the Child Advocacy Center) in the human services area. Her interest in helping others less fortunate than herself may have been inspired by her parents, who have adopted seven children and at present have two foster children, a young mother and her baby.
“We’re a pretty positive family and have a pretty good faith,” Chris Hartsuff said. “We try to look at these things positively. You go day by day. You’re grateful everybody is healthy today and you just go on.”
Chris Hartsuff said she is grateful to Ovid Iron and Metal, to Citizens Bank — and especially to her old friend Peggy Leonard.
“I can’t thank her enough,” Hartsuff said. “She’s been like a sister to me. I thank everybody for helping.”
For questions about scrap metal donations or directions, call Ovid Iron and Metal at (989) 834-5422.


Many of life’s little wrinkles can be rolled out along with a pie crust.
