A new Alpena nonprofit has made its first donation to a fund that helps local cancer patients manage the practical costs of treatment. Hitz for Hope gave $500 to Susan’s Wish, a fund supporting cancer patients at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena with financial assistance.
The donation connects two families whose work is focused on helping people affected by cancer. Hitz for Hope was founded by local hematologist and oncologist Bill Hitzelberger, D.O., his wife, Jen, and their children, Hunter, Sydney, Olivia and Tucker.
How Susan’s Wish helps Alpena-area cancer patients
Susan’s Wish was established by Susan Yachcik’s family after her death from ovarian cancer in 2012. The fund honors Yachcik, née Barton, who was one of Dr. Hitzelberger’s first oncology patients.
Held by the MyMichigan Health Foundation, the fund provides flexible assistance to cancer patients receiving care at the Alpena Cancer Center. Its purpose is to cover needs that may not be addressed through traditional assistance programs.
Social workers at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena use Susan’s Wish funds to help patients and their families with transportation, medication expenses, lodging during treatment and other unexpected financial burdens. The fund allows assistance to be directed to the areas where it is most needed, helping ease some of the everyday challenges that can accompany a cancer diagnosis.
Susan’s mother, Penny Barton, and her brothers, Daryl and Jon Barton, have continued supporting Susan’s legacy by helping other families facing cancer.
Hitz for Hope’s mission
Hitz for Hope was created after Bill Hitzelberger’s father died from cancer. The nonprofit provides cancer education and accessible resources while encouraging charitable giving to support patients, families, research and cancer care.
The organization says it aims to reduce fear and confusion around cancer by offering medically accurate, compassionate and accessible information for patients, families and communities.
“I remember Susan and her family well, which makes it especially meaningful that Hitz for Hope's first donation is being made to her fund. I am grateful for the Barton family's continued perseverance in honoring Susan's legacy by helping other families facing cancer. It is incredibly meaningful, especially as a doctor and member of this community, to see families helping other families facing cancer,” Hitzelberger said.
Donation presented at health education session
The donation was presented during a recent Take Time for You education session, where Hitzelberger was the featured speaker for Hitz for Hope and participated as a medical professional at the Cancer Center.
The lunch-and-learn series is hosted by the Community Outreach Committee of the MyMichigan Health Foundation’s Development Council serving Alpena. It gives community members an opportunity to learn, connect and focus on their health and well-being. Sessions feature educational topics and local experts, along with an informal setting for questions and connections to community resources.
Ann Diamond, development director for the MyMichigan Health Foundation, said the donation brought together two families with a shared commitment to helping people through cancer.
“Having Hitz for Hope choose Susan's Wish for its very first donation makes this gift especially meaningful. It brings together two families with a shared commitment to helping others through the challenges of cancer. We are incredibly grateful for their compassion and generosity and the difference they continue to make for patients and families in our community.”
People interested in engaging Hitzelberger for a presentation, donating to Hitz for Hope or purchasing its gear can visit hitzforhope.com. Those wishing to support Susan’s Wish or cancer care at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena can contact Diamond at [email protected] or (989) 356-7738.