Luncheon of Hope continues to raise important dollars for Northern Cancer Fund

THUNDER BAY -- One of the city's' most celebrated events was back for another year Friday.

With 500 people at the Victoria Inn the Luncheon of Hope looked to add to the $300,000 it's raised over the past 23 years.

Organizing Committee Member Lindsey Wychopen says the event is filled with laughs and tears but continues to be powerful.

This year's keynote speakers Susan Gonzalez and Florence Strang connected through online blogs and personal struggles with cancer.

The two eventually wrote a book '100 perks of Cancer'. They said it was an honour to share a message of hope with the room Friday afternoon.

All the money raised goes towards the Northern Cancer Fund that helps support the Regional Cancer Centre, which Wychopen says goes to ensuring Thunder Bay has the best doctors, equipment and treatments it can.