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Published on September 04, 2024

Rally for a Cure Golf Outing Raises Funds for Breast Health

Group shot of staff and community members including the MyMichigan Health Foundation.

Lost Lake Woods Association of Lincoln recently hosted their seventh annual Rally for a  Cure golf outing, raising $10,300 for the Breast Health Program at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena From left to right: Steve Hand, manager, Imaging; Matt Ritthaler, R.N., manager, Infusion Services; Paulette Kallstom, event organizer, Lost Lake Woods Club; Kim Fleming, incoming event organizer, Lost Lake Woods Club; Linda Perry, incoming event organizer, Lost Lake Woods Club; Ann Diamond, director, MyMichigan Health Foundation, and Mike Erickson, past president, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.

Lost Lake Woods Association of Lincoln recently hosted their seventh annual Rally for a Cure golf outing, raising $10,300 for the Breast Health Program at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Since 2018, the Rally has raised $41,000 for the Medical Center.

The rally took place at the Lost Lake Woods Golf Course and included a raffle, mulligans, skins game, and shotgun start with attendees enjoying 18 holes of golf and a delicious lunch. This year’s event was planned by Paulette Kallstrom, Bev Calkins and Helen Zimmerman with incoming organizers Kim Fleming and Linda Perry assisting.

Kallstrom, a 13-year breast cancer survivor, commented, “When we started the event, we knew we wanted to support Breast Cancer patients. After considering some larger organizations and other entities, it became clear that giving to the Alpena Cancer Center and the cancer patients of MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena was the perfect fit for us. Knowing all the funds raised are staying local gives the event a more personal feel. When asking local businesses to be sponsors, it helped that they knew where their gifts were going. People were really excited to be able to support this cause.”   

The donations support local breast health patients in need with free mammograms, prescription assistance, ultrasounds and biopsy procedures, as well as lodging and gas cards for women who need to travel for treatment. It will also go towards funding the installation of a new, dedicated ultrasound system for the Breast Health Suite. The $150,000 machine is instrumental for women who need secondary diagnostic testing.

“We are so grateful to Paulette, Bev, Helen, Kim and Linda and everyone who has been involved with the Rally. Cancer continues to be a major ongoing health issue throughout the nation, and MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena is always working to provide the best care possible for our community,” Matt Ritthaler, R.N, manager, Infusion Services. “We strive every day to provide the best support and equipment we can for our cancer patients. It’s inspiring to see the community come together and continue to support our breast health program. We need their support, as do our patients.”

Ann Diamond, director, MyMichigan Health Foundation, accepted the donation.

“The Lost Lake Woods Association has become a champion for our Breast Health Program. Their generosity has helped shape our program into what it is today. We truly appreciate all the work that Paulette and her committee, along with the LLW Golf Club and members do to make Rally for a Cure such a successful event,” said Diamond. “We’d also like to say a special thank you to the out-going organizers, Bev Calkins and Helen Zimmerman. Their efforts have made an immense difference in the lives of our cancer patients and their impact will be felt for years to come.”

Steve Hand, manager of imaging services, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, offered a tour of the recently renovated space.

Kallstrom added, “We were able to tour the new Breast Health Suite and see exactly where the patients were being treated. There’s something very special about seeing the treatment area and where the new equipment will be placed.”

According to Hand, “Lost Lake Woods is an amazing partner for us. Their event supports our breast health patients by helping to remove financial barriers to diagnosis. They are helping to purchase a major piece of equipment that will help save lives. And they are bringing awareness to the importance of early detection and testing. We are incredibly grateful for their work.”

Those interested in more information on the Breast Health Fund, financial support for a screening mammogram or other assistance, may contact Cirrae Heise, breast program coordinator, at (989) 356-8015 or Diamond at (989) 356-7738.