It's nearly the 4th of the month which means it's time to call your buddy as a reminder to do a self breast exam. It's also time for our special Buddy Check report.

We in the news spend a lot of time lately on the economy and health care. But for many people the two are linked in a way that could mean the difference between life and death.

But you can help and maybe have a little fun along the way.

Jennie Minard is a self proclaimed tom boy who admits she sometimes prefers the company of canines to humans. She's found the perfect career, even if it's not exactly lucrative.

Minard says, "my husband and I are dog trainers. We've had our business 8 years and don't have insurance. If we had extra money we would but we don't."

At just 35 years old, Jennie chose not to pay out of pocket for a mammogram. But the cancer hiding inside her would not be ignored.

Jennie says, "the first time I had cancer I was sitting in traffic and had my arms crossed in the most innocent way. My fingers went right onto the lump and I felt it."

Jennie would have to undergo surgery, chemotherapy and 32 rounds of radiation.

Jennie says, "I had a broken heart.. I felt like my body had betrayed me."

She learned she would need more mammograms, even though she had no insurance to cover the cost.

Jennie says "I imagine I would think about skipping my mammogram even though I'm high risk because when you get a bill in the mail you can't pay it, it just adds stress on top of your other stressors."

That's where the Munson Mammography Assistance Program helped relieve some of that stress and possibly saved her life.

The fund covered the cost of a very important mammogram.

Jennie says "my second diagnosis was not a recurrence. It was a new primary on the other side that one was detected on a mammogram and thank God it was. It was so small you wouldn't have been able to feel it."

"the early detection made my treatment so much easier and so much faster."

Jennie is just one of hundreds of women who have been able to get this life saving screening thanks to the Mammography Assistance Program.

The President of the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation, Des Worthington says, "the reason we have this fund is to make sure women can always receive mammograms regardless of their ability to pay for them."

And with Michigan's unemployment the highest in the nation and climbing, more women in our area can't pay for them.

Worthington says, "now more than ever it's important we have funds available for folks. The economic environment in which we live is making it more difficult for those who are under or uninsured to receive health benefits."

In fact this year, they are expecting to see double the amount of women who need help over last year.

And with cuts in state funding that number is expected to continue to grow.

But you can help.

Worthington says, "our financial goal is to raise $10,000 so that women throughout 2011 can get the mammograms they need."

And we are adding a spin on that goal. Through the Swingshift and the Stars Dance Off for Charity I will be competing against 5 other community members to put a twist on fundraising.

The first Friday of every month we'll take on new dance. Audience members can vote for their favorite dancers and raise money for the local charities.

The first competition is tomorrow at the city opera house in Traverse City. And there are still tickets available.

Click here for more information.

The shows are once a month with the Grand Finale on New Year's Eve.

In addition to a great show every time, you also get to take a spin on the floor with dance lessons throughout the night.

If you can't make it to the show you can still make a difference, you can donate to the charities online.