Hope Starts Here for Brain Tumor Center

A yearly tradition returns to Marquette this weekend to help fund a good cause.

The ‘Hope Starts Here Challenge’ takes place this Saturday.

It’s a duathlon — a 5–kilometer run, a 10-K mountain bike race and then another 5–K run.

It benefits the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center.

And it’s the only fundraiser the center conducts all year.

The center is a joint program between Marquette General Health System and Northern Michigan University.

MGHS neurosurgeon Dr. Richard Rovin says the proceeds will help support a new quality of life study that the center, and NMU nursing students, are doing for brain tumor patients and their caregivers.

The survey is a new addition to the center’s activities this year.

‘Hope Starts Here’ starts at 9am Saturday at Lakeview Arena.

The cost is $35 if you want to take part in just the 5-K run, the 10-K run or a leisure walk.

The run-ride-run duathlon costs $75.