Courtesy Photo Alpena Optimist Club members present a donation of $3,000 to Ann Diamond, director, MyMichigan Health Foundation Alpena, to replenish the Optimist Children’s Cancer Fund. Pictured, back row, from left, are Mark Hulsey, Cody Lancaster, Jeff Taphouse, Dana Howard, and Pam Sample. Front row, from left, are Chuck Beal, Lorraine Beal, Leah LaFave, Ann Diamond, Beckie Thomson, and Jim Mott.

ALPENA — MyMichigan Health Foundation received a generous donation once again from the Alpena Optimist Club of $3,000 to replenish the Optimist Children’s Cancer Fund.

“We are happy to help in anyway that we can to support the hospital and area families in need of assistance during these difficult times,” said Leah LaFave, Optimist Club of Alpena secretary.

The Optimist Children’s Cancer Fund was established with a significant donation in 2005. Since that time, the Optimist Club of Alpena has funded it generously to maintain services. Gifts from the Optimist Children’s Cancer Fund are used to assist children undergoing treatment at the Alpena Cancer Center and, if travel is necessary, will help with food, lodging, transportation expenses, and medications not covered by insurance.

“In a time of such heartache and stress, these funds will assist greatly in relieving the families of these burdens,” said Ann Diamond, director, MyMichigan Health Foundation Alpena. “We can’t thank the Optimists enough for their partnership with our hospital and their dedication to help children in our community.”

Those interested in obtaining more information about donating to MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena can contact Diamond at 989-356-7738, or ann.diamond@midmichigan.org, or go visit mymichigan.org/donate.

MyMichigan Health, a nonprofit health system headquartered in Midland, is a leader in providing award-winning, high-quality care to the 25-county region it serves. With Medical Centers in Alma, Alpena, Clare, Gladwin, Midland, Mt. Pleasant, Sault Ste. Marie and West Branch, MyMichigan also has affiliations with Medical Centers in St. Ignaceand Mackinac Island. MyMichigan Health provides care across a wide array of settings, including urgent care centers, home health, virtual care, and medical offices in more than 30 specialties and subspecialties.