Courtesy Photo Pictured, seated, are Mike Erickson, president, and Steve Hand, manager of imaging services, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Standing are Bonnie Goff, R.N., breast health nurse navigator, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena; Ann Diamond, director, MyMichigan Health Foundation; Paulette Kallstrom and Bev Calkins, event organizers, Lost Lake Woods Club; Matt Ritthaler, R.N. and Amy Dacey, manager, Alpena Cancer Center. Not pictured is Helen Zimmerman, event organizer.

ALPENA — Paulette Kallstrom, Bev Calkins, Helen Zimmerman and their team of volunteers from Lost Lake Woods Club in Lincoln recently held the Rally for a Cure golf outing with all proceeds directed to the Breast Health Program at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.

Participation was excellent in this four-person golf scramble, with 22 teams registered to enjoy a beautiful day of golf while raising funds to assist women in northern Michigan. Generous businesses and golf courses from the area donated prizes for the auction, all in an effort to assist with this important cause.

Proceeds from the raffles, 50/50 drawings, registrations and hole sponsorships totaled $6,737. The funds will provide free mammograms, assistance with ultrasound or biopsy procedures, gas cards for transportation, prescription assistance and if needed, lodging for area women.

This event is personal, as Kallstrom is an 11-year breast cancer survivor and Calkins is a 14-year breast cancer survivor.

“I enjoy organizing the golf outing, and I think all women can support the cause,” Kallstrom said. “We are so very pleased to have all the participants, sponsors and donors encouraging us and providing whatever is needed. This is the best year we have had financially and we are already talking about next year.”

In addition, Ann and Steve Ashford at Logger’s Trace Golf Club in Harrisville, held their Rally for a Cure event recently, benefitting the same cause at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, raising $610.

“We enjoy participating in an event that helps others in our area,” Ann Ashford said. “It’s a way we can give back, and our golfers enjoy supporting this excellent cause.”

On behalf of MyMichigan Health Foundation, Ann Diamond, development director, accepted the proceeds from the events. Diamond thanked Kallstrom and Ashford and the entire team of volunteers.

“We are so very proud and appreciative of our friends at Lost Lake Woods, Loggers Trace and the surrounding counties that host and participate in the Rally for a Cure,” Diamond said. “We all know someone that has been touched by breast cancer and to see an initiative, such as Rally for a Cure, and the effort of Paulette, Bev, Helen and Ann and their teams hosting this event benefitting women in our area is extremely heartwarming.”

Steve Hand, manager of imaging services at MyMichigan Medical Center, encourages all women to get their annual mammogram.

“This is the time of year that brings so much awareness to breast cancer,” Hand said. “Getting an annual mammogram is the best way to detect the disease early and have the best possible outcome.”

For more information on the Breast Health Fund, financial assistance for a mammogram, or other assistance, contact Jennifer Schuch, clinical social worker, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, at 989-356-8113.