River Valley Bank donated $5,000 to again sponsor the Hope Starts Here Challenge, an annual challenge that raises funds and awareness for the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center (UMBTC) through competitive and leisurely events geared for all ages and skill levels. The UMBTC is a collaborative effort between Northern Michigan University, U.P. Health System-Marquette and the Superior Health Foundation. The Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center’s mission is to empower patients and families dealing with brain tumors through advocacy, research, education and treatment.

“We are committed to community and the Hope Starts Here Challenge is a great community event in Upper Michigan,” said Christian Palomaki of River Valley Bank. “It brings in hundreds of participants for a worthy cause. It is inspiring to see the runners, walkers and bikers participate on behalf of a loved one who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. We became involved when one of our employee’s parents was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Ever since then, River Valley has been a sponsor donating over $25,000 to the UMBTC."

The 2018 Hope Starts Here Challenge will be held on Saturday, May 12. This year’s options for participants are: a half marathon; a duathlon that consists of a 5k run, 10-mile trail bike ride and 5k run; a 10k run; a 5k run; a 1-mile kids’ run; and a noncompetitive leisure walk.

"The Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center is grateful for the continued support of River Valley Bank as the title sponsor of the Hope Starts Here Challenge,” said Robert Winn of NMU, UMBTC co-founder and CEO. “It is through the generous support of River Valley Bank and the participants in the Hope Starts Here Challenge that aids in our efforts to gain a better understanding of brain cancer, which will lead to better treatments and better outcomes for those diagnosed with a brain tumor."

For more information or to register in advance online, visit www.hopestartshere.org.