NILES — The Hope Grows committee recently announced the sixth annual Hope Grows Luncheon.

The event will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. Spectrum Health Lakeland surgeon Michael Schuhknecht, DO, will be the keynote speaker.

Hope Grows is a joint effort between Lakeland Health Foundations and the YMCA of Southwest Michigan. It was created to help support individuals at risk for cancer, those recovering from cancer, and those still fighting. Proceeds from the luncheon support a variety of cancer-related treatments, expenses, and preventative services.

In 2018, Hope Grows raised more than $50,000 for the community. This funding helped 15 participants complete the LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA program for cancer survivors and their families, and also provided 138 mammograms and biopsies, one breast MRI, two low dose lung CTs, two lung biopsies, seven lymphedema garments, one genetic testing, nine transportation costs, 10 prescriptions, four dental procedures, one wig, and 10 financial aid disbursements through the Marie Yeager Cancer Center at Spectrum Health Lakeland. 

Hope Grows officials said they are honored to have Schuhknecht speak. At the luncheon, he will share the story of how his family has been affected by cancer. Schuhknecht is one of Michigan’s most experienced bariatric surgeons having performed procedures for over 20 years. He is also a general surgeon and the medical director of Bariatrics for Spectrum Health Lakeland.

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