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LANDRUM—This holiday season, the local community is joining forces to support a courageous young girl fighting a rare form of cancer. 

Buy A Tree, Change a Life, a non-profit organization established in 2012, supports children by mobilizing volunteers through an annual Christmas tree sale. Since its inception, it has raised and distributed over $10 million to help children.

Each year, the group donates proceeds from tree sales to a local child facing challenges. This year, funds raised will assist Marylise Mills, a 12-year-old girl and student at Blue Ridge Middle School who is bravely battling cancer.

Marylise is described as a bright and caring young lady who aspires to become a nurse and help others going through difficult times like her.

In October, Marylise sought medical attention for back pain, which her family believed to be a pulled muscle. Unfortunately, they learned it was a rare type of cancer, a diagnosis that has left her family and community rallying around her. 

MLG Recycle Yard, located at 106 SC-11 in Landrum, is selling the trees to support Marylise. Community members can purchase a tree on Thursday, December 12, and Thursday, December 17, from 4 to 8 p.m. Additionally, the business will offer the Christmas trees from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 14.

For more information on the initiative and how to help, email dmplumberllc@gmail.com.