NILES — Hope Grows will host the fifth annual Hope Grows Luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. Each year, Hope Grows hosts a fundraising luncheon on the first Thursday in May, proceeds from which serve cancer patients in southwest Michigan.

Hope Grows is a joint effort between the community, Lakeland Health Foundations, and the YMCA of Southwest Michigan. The organization was created to help support individuals recovering from cancer, those still fighting, and those at risk.

All proceeds from Hope Grows are disbursed back into the community through the Marie Yeager Cancer Center and the YMCA of Southwest Michigan’s LIVESTRONG program.

In 2017, Hope Grows was able to expand its reach to include all of Berrien County when the Niles-Buchanan YMCA and the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA merged to form the YMCA of Southwest Michigan. Since the merger, Hope Grows has been able to extend funding to start LIVESTRONG classes and provide cancer support services through the MYCC to those in northern Berrien County.

Over the past four years, Hope Grows has raised more than $134,000 for the community. This funding supports a variety of cancer-related treatments and preventative services, including mammograms, low dose lung CTs, visit copays, colonoscopies, biopsies, supportive medications, as well as programs designed to help survivors reach their health goals.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a physical activity and well-being program designed to help adult cancer survivors achieve their health goals. The program offers a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the whole person.

Participants and their families work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to achieve their goals such as building muscle mass; increasing flexibility, and improving confidence and self-esteem. In 2017, 28 participants completed the LIVESTRONG program.

Marie Yeager Cancer Center makes it possible for patients and their families to go to just one facility for the majority of their cancer care needs. The Center includes a highly qualified team of cancer specialists and state-of-the-art technology for cancer detection and treatment, all in an environment designed to promote health and healing. In the past year, funding from Hope Grows has provided 27 mammograms, four low dose lung CTs, three biopsies, and garments for lymphedema such as arm sleeves, gloves, and mastectomy camisoles.

To register for or learn more about the Hope Grows Luncheon, visit the website at lakelandhealthfoundations.org/hopegrows, email hopegrows@lakelandhealth.org or call (269) 927-5145.