Courtesy photo Walkers gather together at the 2019 walk. A t-shirt fundraiser is going on now through July 3, and this year’s walk will happen virtually on July 31.

ESCANABA — The Walk in the Park for Brain Tumor Research has gone virtual again this year, in response to uncertainty about the COVID-19 pandemic. However, organizers are still working to raise funds and awareness about brain tumors.

This year, funds are being raised via T-shirt purchases through July 3 at Good Ink (stores.goodink.com/eskywalkinthepark/shop/home). High quality shirts in multiple colors for toddlers through adults are available. The shirts will be mailed directly to walkers about 10-14 business days later, with a goal of arriving in time to wear on July 31.

Organizers have put out the challenge to sell 250 shirts before the fundraiser ends on July 3. All proceeds benefit the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center (UMBTC) through the Superior Health Foundation. Since the first walk in 2005, the event has contributed nearly $90,000 to brain tumor research.

Walkers are encouraged to take photos or videos of their walks on July 31 wearing their T-shirts, and post them along with their stories to the Esky Walk in the Park Facebook page at facebook.com/EskyWalk. Connecting through stories of challenge and hope has always been the biggest part of the walk, and organizers would like to see that continue to grow.