For the first time, Asante Foundation’s signature cancer fundraising event is coming to Grants Pass.
In an announcement issued February 11 from Medford, Asante confirmed that its annual Walk for Hope, long held each fall in Medford, will debut in Josephine County this spring. The inaugural Walk for Hope at the Helen K. Spears Cancer Center will take place May 30, beginning on the campus of Asante Three Rivers Medical Center and extending to The Family House before returning for a community celebration.
The event has become a central fixture in Southern Oregon’s cancer support efforts since its launch in 2022. Traditionally held each October at the Mary and Dick Heimann Cancer Center in Medford, Walk for Hope raises funds for local cancer patients, programs and services throughout the Asante system. Organizers say expanding the event to Grants Pass reflects both community demand and long-term planning.
“Bringing Walk for Hope to Grants Pass is the realization of a vision years in the making,” said Andrea Reeder, senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer at Asante. “We are thrilled to be able to bring this uplifting event to our communities around Josephine County. Whether you join to walk, volunteer, fundraise or cheer from the sidelines, your presence creates hope.”
The Grants Pass event will feature a one-mile walk beginning at Three Rivers Medical Center and traveling to The Family House and back. The day is designed as a family-friendly gathering, including live music, activities for all ages, food, and access to cancer-related resources for patients and families. This year’s finish line celebration will feature music by The Brothers Reed.
Beyond its celebratory atmosphere, Walk for Hope serves a defined philanthropic purpose. Last year’s Medford event, the fourth annual gathering, raised more than $450,000 to support local cancer care. Since its inception in 2022, the event has generated more than $800,000 to fund services, patient assistance programs and cancer care initiatives within the region.
Organizers say team fundraising has become one of the most popular ways for participants to engage. Individuals, families, businesses and community groups can form teams, raise money and walk together in honor or memory of loved ones affected by cancer. The Grants Pass event will also direct proceeds toward The Family House Expansion Project, part of the broader AsanteForward2030 campaign.
The Family House provides lodging for cancer patients and families who must travel for treatment at Three Rivers Medical Center. By expanding the facility, Asante aims to increase capacity so more families can remain close to their loved ones during treatment. Access to nearby accommodation is often a critical component of care, particularly for patients undergoing extended therapies that require frequent hospital visits.
While the October Walk for Hope will continue at the Heimann Cancer Center in Medford, the addition of a spring event in Grants Pass signals a broader regional commitment to expanding cancer support services across Southern Oregon. The move brings one of the organization’s most visible fundraising efforts directly into Josephine County, strengthening ties between donors, patients and care providers.
Registration and sponsorship opportunities are now open. Community members can participate as walkers, volunteers, fundraisers or event supporters. Additional information is available through the Asante Foundation website or by phone.
With its combination of remembrance, celebration and tangible support for local cancer care, Walk for Hope’s arrival in Grants Pass marks a significant expansion of a program that has already delivered substantial financial support to Southern Oregon patients and families.