ESCANABA — The 20th Walk in the Park, a fundraiser that has been organized by four sisters following the death of their father in 2004, is going to take place on Saturday, July 13, in Ludington Park in Escanaba. It’s to be more of a party than in years past, as the current organizers have decided this will be their last year — but they’d love someone else to take over running the event.

From 5 to 8 p.m., participants will walk a two-mile path long the lakeshore, from the pavilion in Ludington Park and around Sand Point Lighthouse. There will also be games, a 50-50 raffle, live music from Bill Rinne, food vendors, and prizes donated by local businesses.

Proceeds from the walk benefit the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center (UMBTC), a collaboration between UP Health System, the nonprofit Superior Health Foundation, and Northern Michigan University.

UMBTC conducts research to better understand Glioblastoma multiforme (sometimes referred to as GBM or just glioblastoma), an agressive and fast-acting type of brain tumor. Survival following a diagnosis usually ranges between 6 and 18 months, and there is no cure. At present, treatment — invasive, difficult, and highly expensive — has the potential to slow cancer growth and reduce symptoms, but not for long.

However, there is hope. The number of people who survived with GBM for five years increased from 22% in the 1970s to 32% in the 1990s. With ongoing research, the number can climb.

To date, Esky Walk in the Park has raised around $100,000, according to their website.