TMH Foundation's 20th Cards for a Cure Event Honors FSU Softball Coach Lonni Alameda
July 16, 2026By: Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
Categories: TMH Physician Partners News, Foundation, Breast Cancer
Sept. 12 Event Celebrates Hope and Raises Funds to Support Local Cancer Patients
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Thursday, July 16, 2026) – For 20 years, Cards for a Cure has brought the Tallahassee community together to honor those affected by breast cancer and help ensure local patients have access to critical care and support.
This year, the Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) Foundation will commemorate the event’s anniversary by honoring Florida State University Softball Coach Lonni Alameda for her longstanding advocacy and support of cancer patients, as well as her own courageous breast cancer journey.
Hosted by the TMH Foundation and presented by Electrotech, Cards for a Cure will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at The Moon. Tickets and sponsorships are available at TMH.ORG/Cards. The event includes live music, games, food and drinks, and a program featuring Alameda as she shares her inspiring story.
Florida State University Softball Head Coach Lonni Alameda will be honored as the 2026 Cards for a Cure honoree.
Honoring FSU Softball Coach Lonni Alameda
Known affectionately as “Coacha,” Alameda has spent years using her platform to bring awareness and support to local patients through Florida State Softball’s Paint It Pink initiative. She and her team have helped raise funds to support breast cancer patients while creating meaningful connections with those receiving care at the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center.
“Coach Lonni has a special way of making our patients feel seen, supported and cared for,” said Kathy Brooks, oncology service line administrator at TMH, a breast cancer survivor and the first Cards for a Cure honoree 20 years ago. “Long before her own diagnosis, she regularly visited with our patients, celebrating their strength and reminding them they are not alone. We are grateful for the encouragement and compassion she continues to bring to our patients and families.”
Alameda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025. She approached treatment with the same resilience, determination and optimism that have defined her coaching career. By sharing her experience, she has raised awareness about the importance of early detection and encouraged women navigating their own breast cancer diagnoses.
Her signature pink braid has become a symbol of hope and solidarity as she continues supporting cancer patients throughout the community.
“Coach Lonni has inspired our community for years, not only through her incredible success on the softball field, but through the compassion and kindness she shows to others,” said Nigel Allen, president and chief advancement officer of the TMH Foundation. “She and her players have been regular visitors to our Cancer Center. We are honored to celebrate her as our 2026 Cards for a Cure honoree and recognize the lasting impact she has made.”
Community partnerships help fund advanced equipment and patient support through the TMH Foundation.
Here’s how community support through the TMH Foundation makes a difference:
- In 2025, community donations made PET scans, MRIs and other imaging services possible for approximately 80 uninsured cancer patients.
- Many patients travel long distances to Tallahassee for treatment. Donor contributions provide gas cards, transportation and lodging for patients and their caregivers. Between October 2025 and July 17, 2026, generous community support provided over 300 hotel nights for patients.
- In 2025, the TMH Foundation invested $136,600 to purchase a BK Surgical Ultrasound System. This advanced technology provides surgeons with real-time, high-resolution ultrasound guidance during breast cancer procedures, improving precision in the operating room. It also supports the evaluation of suspicious lumps and dense breast tissue by providing detailed imaging without the use of radiation.
The Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center diagnoses and treats more than 2,000 new cancer cases each year, with breast cancer representing the largest share of those diagnoses. As the region's most comprehensive cancer program, the Cancer Center offers advanced treatment and coordinated, compassionate care, ensuring patients receive exceptional treatment close to home.
“Our donors are truly saving lives by removing barriers to care for some of our most vulnerable patients,” Allen said. “Because of their generosity, patients have access to advanced medical care and compassionate support during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. We are grateful for a community that continues to stand with patients and families affected by cancer.”
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for Cards for a Cure are available now at TMH.ORG/Cards. For information about sponsorships, contact Rebeccah Lutz at Rebeccah.Lutz@TMH.ORG or 850-431-5904.
