ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On October 19, 2004, the lives of four sisters—Anne Erickson, Mary McInnis, Sue McInnis, and Amy Norkus—changed forever.
“Our dad [Don McInnis] passed away after a battle with a glioblastoma brain tumor,” Anne said. “We kind of felt like there was an emptiness—an emptiness even beyond the emptiness of missing him. I felt kind of helpless, and I wanted to do something.”
That inspired the first Walk in the Park, which took place on Father’s Day, 2005. Since then, it’s become so much more.
“A lot of other families who were affected by brain tumors started to join in, coming together to find resources and to share hope,” said Mary. “It’s not like it grew in numbers, but it grew in connection and closeness.”
“When my dad was sick, we started going to walks like this,” Anne added. “I said to him, ‘Maybe we could do something like that,’ and my dad said, ‘Who would go pay to walk when you can walk for free?'” Anne continued, laughing with her sisters, “A little tiny part of this is, ‘Here’s to you, Dad! We did it.'”
On Saturday, the Walk in the Park celebrated 20 years of raising money for Superior Health Foundation’s Brain Tumor Fund, which directly funds research at the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center in Marquette.
“That was the place that treated our dad, supported us for his entire treatment,” Amy said. “Their whole motto is, ‘Hope starts here,’ so that’s something that we’ve tried to carry. I think before this one, we were at already over $100,000.”
“The work that has gone into having this event for 20 years and the amount of money that has been raised is just amazing,” said Emily Ellis, Superior Health Foundation Community Engagement and Annual Giving Coordinator. “It’s commendable for all the work they have done. “
Before taking off on the two-mile walk around Ludington Park, attendees gathered to blow bubbles through the air as a show of brain tumor awareness and a tribute to loved ones. To celebrate the Walk in the Park’s 20th anniversary, participants played games, enjoyed food and drinks, and listened to live music throughout the evening. Those who have attended the walk for multiple years were thanked for their dedication.
“It’s really heartening to see the same people show up year after year after year,” Sue said. “It’s just such gratitude.”
In addition to marking a milestone anniversary, Saturday’s event also marked the sisters’ final year organizing the walk.
“We’re all a little bit worn out,” said Anne. “None of us live locally, and planning an event like this remotely is challenging. We’re open to passing the baton on. We would love that, and we would love to just be able to attend it. It’s the last one for us, but it doesn’t have to be the last one.”
No matter what the future holds, they know the community will continue to support brain tumor research. As they reflect on two decades of the Walk in the Park, they say they are grateful for the community’s generosity and love.
“It’s not something I ever thought would happen,” Anne said. “Every year, there’s more. Every year, we learn another story. It’s not a bunch of people supporting us; it’s us creating a community that can support each other.”
To support brain tumor research at the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center, click here.
