SAUNTEEL JENKINS

A stage three, triple negative breast cancer survivor. That’s Saunteel Jenkins.

One year ago, Saunteel Jenkins, the CEO of The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) and former Detroit City Council president, faced a shocking diagnosis - Stage 3 breast cancer. But she was determined to survive.

DETROIT – Saunteel Jenkins spoke with Rhonda Walker on Tuesday morning about what The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) does to help people across Michigan. Jenkins, the CEO of THAW, said the organization is helping frontline workers make ends meet. She said anyone having trouble paying bills should contact THAW for help. Gift of Warmth telethon: You can donate to help families in needAll day Tuesday, Local 4 viewers can help THAW keep the lights and heat on for these families by donating to the Gift of Warmth telethon. Anyone in an energy crisis can apply for help from the Heat and Warmth fund.

DETROIT – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Local 4′s thoughts are with Saunteel Jenkins, the CEO of the Heat and Warmth Fund and former Detroit City Council president. Jenkins has spent most of her career in the public eye, serving the community and helping people in need. She’ll be the first to admit she often puts the needs of others before her own. Now, in the middle of a fight for her life, it’s no surprise that her focus is to share her battle in hopes of helping others. You can watch Rhonda Walker’s full conversation with Jenkins in the video posted above.

MICHIGAN (CBS DETROIT) Essential workers can use a break and The Heat and Warmth Fund is looking to do just that. Essential workers can use a break and The Heat and Warmth Fund is looking to do just that. Theyre using more water, theyre using more electricity. THAW is stepping in to help essential workers cut down on bills at home. The frontline energy worker program is open to essential workers across the state with household income 250 percent of the federal poverty level.

Local 4 is partnering with The Heat and Warmth Fund and DTE Energy for the Gift of Warmth Telethon. Our phone bank will be open from 5 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Tuesday taking donations that benefit THAW, also known as The Heat and Warmth Fund. It helps people who are in crisis pay their utility bills especially to help keep the heat/lights on. The telethon will start at 5 a.m., with a live interview with Saunteel Jenkins, the CEO of the Heat and Warmth Fund. DTE, a partner of THAW for more than 20 years, will join members of the THAW team during our 6 a.m. newscast.