Courtesy Photo Pictured, from left, are Zonta Club of Alpena member and Zonta Walks for Women Co-chair Sara Smith, MyMichigan Health Foundation Director Ann Diamond, and Joyce Brilinski, treasurer, Zonta Club of Alpena.

ALPENA — Women needing additional assistance will benefit from the generosity of the Zonta Club of Alpena through the Zonta Walks for Women event.

Each year, the Zonta Club has donated proceeds from the walk to assist with mammography screenings, the purchase of new equipment, transportation, the financial assistance for 3D mammograms and diagnostic screenings for patients that are underinsured or uninsured, and most recently, personal gowns for patients undergoing radiation therapy.

This year was no exception, as the Zontians brought together their membership and held another very successful Zonta Walk for Women. It was a beautiful day for the October event that began at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center and continued on the bike path through downtown Alpena. Inspired by the story of Honorary Chair Kim Plohocky, participants eagerly walked and ran the designated route.

Recently, Sara Smith, event co-chair, and Joyce Brilinski, Zonta treasurer, presented Ann Diamond, director of the MyMichigan Health Foundation, with a donation toward MyMichigan’s Breast Health Fund.

“I am proud of the continued relationship we have with the Zonta Club of Alpena and honored to be the recipient of this donation on behalf of our patients,” said Diamond. “It was a beautiful day for the walk this year and I was so pleased to see the continued interest, support and participation from our community members.”

The Zonta Club has donated significantly to MyMichigan Health Foundation throughout the years. The Club has provided funding for the purchase of Mammography CAD Software, funding of a chemo bay in the Cancer Center, was a founding organization supporting the Mammography Subsidy Fund and continues to support the Breast Health Fund, which assists patients with meeting costs for diagnostic procedures, equipment, and various other patient needs.

“The support of the Zonta Club of Alpena throughout the years has assisted MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena greatly in offering excellent services and care to our patients,” Diamond said. “With their contributions, thousands of women have benefited from their hard work and generosity. We are extremely grateful for our partnership with the Zonta Club.”

For more information, contact Diamond at ann.diamond@mymichigan.org or 989-356-7738.