Courtesy photo Residents take part in a past Walk in the Park. The final walk will take place Saturday, July 13, in Ludington Park in Escanaba.

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.

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.

Acknowledging that fact, “hope starts here” is the motto embraced by the UMBTC.

“It’s amazing to read up on what they’re doing over there, and every time they come up with a new treatment or something — You know, I remember being wowed when they had this implant that they could put in next to the tumor to try to shrink it,” said Amy Norkus (nee McInnis).

Donald McInnis, a pharmacist by trade and avid fisherman, resided in Wells when a glioblastoma claimed his life in October of 2004.

Spurred by their own loss and the knowledge that scientists are attempting to discover more about how GBM works and how to fight it, Don’s four daughters — Norkus, Mary McInnis, Ann Erickson (nee McInnis), and Sue McInnis — began organizing events to support the cause.

The first walk was held in 2005. The family of Sue Anderson later joined and began incorporating a bake sale. In 2010, those mourning the loss of Amy Chenier Kositzke helped bring record numbers that year.

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

July 13th, 2024, will be the final walk coordinated by the sisters — and it will be accompanied by a celebration, too. 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.

Eskywalkinthepark.com has more information about the event and a link to a virtual store, where shirts remain available for purchase and continue to raise money for UMBTC.

If anyone is interested in taking over the fundraiser or running something similar in the future, they may email eskywalkinthepark@att.net or reach out to Esky Walk in the Park on Facebook.

“We’re happy to share every and all resources,” Norkus said.