Courtesy Photo Pictured, from left to right, are Matt Ritthaler, R.N, manager, Infusion Services; Teresa Dezelski, member, Alpena Fraternal Order of the Eagles; Ann Diamond, fund development director, MyMichigan Health Foundation; Johnathon Barton, event organizer; and Jennifer Schuch, social worker, Alpena Cancer Center.

ALPENA — Alpena Fraternal Order of the Eagles recently hosted a euchre tournament raising $810 for the Susan’s Wish Fund at MyMichigan Health Foundation.

Along with the tournament, the fun-filled evening featured a 50/50 drawing, raffle prizes and a grand prize for the tournament winner. In addition, before the tournament, a hearty, family-style dinner was enjoyed by attendees, many of whom brought a dish to pass.

“Euchre is very popular in Northeast Michigan, and you can find a place to play in Alpena or Hillman most nights of the week,” said Teresa Dezelski, a Fraternal Order of the Eagles member and one of the event’s organizers. “A lot of our participants were regular card players and knew one another. They wanted to come together to support this important cause and playing cards was a fun way to do so. The Fraternal Order of the Eagles was a good place to host the event and we are very grateful to have been able to use their space and have several of their members participate.”

As part of its philosophy, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles gives back 100% of monies raised in the form of grants. Alpena’s support of Susan’s Wish aligns well with this principal, as 100% of all registrations, ticket sales, and donations go to the fund directly, to assist local cancer patients and their families.

“Hosting a tourney was a really nice way to remember Susan,” Dezelski continued. “By raising funds for those with cancer, we continue to honor her memory. Susan’s Wish is something that continues to be a big part of her family’s legacy. I’m proud that I was able to be a small part of it and to help others also be a part of it.”

Susan’s Wish Fund is named in memory of Susan Yachcik (nee Barton) who passed in 2012 from ovarian cancer. The fund was created specifically to fill the gaps in traditional financial assistance available to cancer patients. This flexibility allows social workers at the Alpena Cancer Center to help patients and their family members with needs such as the costs of transportation, medicine, or hotel stays.

Johnathan Barton, a regular euchre player and Yachcik’s nephew, was instrumental in bringing the tournament together. Barton was the point person in selling tickets, drumming up interest in the various prizes, and personally oversaw the multiple chance raffles that happened throughout the night. His energy and efforts helped ensure the evening was a success.

Ann Diamond, development director, MyMichigan Health Foundation added, “We are so grateful to the Barton family for all that they do to keep funds available for cancer patients. I’d like to specifically thank Teresa Dezelski, Johnathon Barton, and Penny Barton for all their hard work to ensure the recent tourney’s success. I’d also like to thank the Alpena Fraternal Order of Eagles and the participants for their support.”

For more information about donations to the Susan’s Wish Fund or supporting cancer care at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, contact Diamond at ann.diamond@mymichigan.org or 989-356-7738.