Hundreds packed the Niles-Buchanan YMCA Thursday for the fourth annual Hope Grows luncheon, which raised thousands to support multiple cancer care programs through the organization’s partnership with the Niles-Buchanan YMCA and Lakeland Health.

The total amount raised will be announced early next week, but officials said they expect the funds raised  to exceed expectations. This year saw a better attendance, bringing in 38 full tables in comparison to last year’s 31.

For many cancer patients and survivors, the Hope Grows program can offer a chance to continue recovery, even after the treatment stops. Through the Hope Grows program, cancer survivors can regain physical strength through the LIVESTRONG program at the YMCA, as well as receive cancer screenings, transportation to appointments and nutritional supplements.

Among them was speaker Paqui Kelly, a co-founder of the Kelly Cares Foundation, which, like Hope Grows, helps those battling cancer as well as their families find support through a number of initiatives.

Kelly herself is a two-time cancer survivor, who was first diagnosed in 2003.

“No one plans to be ill,” Kelly said.

But with help from organizations like Hope Grows, families can get a variety of help that makes a hopeful road to recovery a little less bumpy.

“Hope Grows helps to fill the needs of people who need a hand,” Kelly said.

Wanting to help families like her own, Kelly partnered with her husband Brian Kelly, the Notre Dame head football coach, to create the Brian Kelly Family Foundation, which later became the Kelly Cares Foundation.

The audience also heard from Hope Grows chairperson Jane Brandstatter.  Reflecting on Hope Grows accomplishments since its inception in 2013, Brandstatter said she was proud of their ability to help cancer patients’ families, too.

“Cancer does not just affect survivors,” Brandstatter said. “It affects everyone around them. By opening the YMCA to all the LIVESTRONG participants families, we are able to help them mentally, spiritually and physically.”

Additionally, families already facing mounds of medical bills get transportation support and nutritional supplements.

Thanks to support from the Niles community, Brandstatter announced that Hope Grows now had the chance to offer even more help to families in surrounding areas.

“We have been asked to expand into our surrounding areas,” Brandstatter said. “Hope is growing in southwest Michigan.”

For Jill Haboush, vice president of the YMCA’s fund development and marketing, it was great to see the community step up to support the organization.

“It is a blessing to have such community support for families and those struggling with cancer,” Haboush said. “I heard someone say today that ‘the nature of our community is like an extended family.’ It takes a whole community to step up.”