By MaryHelen Swanson

Someone who can give encouragement and hope ñ thatís the person selected each year to be honorary chairperson of the Relay for Life event held in North Branch.

This year, Dory Johnson, age 77, is that person. Sheís a cancer survivor, not once, but three times. Twenty-four and a half years ago she beat breast cancer, and after that rectal and then colon cancer.

She is humbled by the outpouring of people who volunteer to help raise money for cancer research. Johnson is so very grateful for the research and the boost the American Cancer Society gives to it by the many donations received through events such as the 24-hour relay walk.

Johnson feels blessed by the Lord for the wonderful treatments and medical personnel who have helped her through her ordeals.

Because she is thankful for each day she is alive, she shows her gratitude by helping out with the Relay event, especially the Survivors Reception.

Almost every family is affected by cancer, she said. In her case, it was breast cancer and brain cancer that took her sisterís life. Her dad and a nephew also died of cancer.

But that is why she feels research is so important. Knowing that breast cancer, for instance, has a heredity factor, her own daughter can keep on top of things by regular check ups.

Johnson and her husband Ray, 85, also have four sons who will also keep on top of things as their father is a cancer survivor too.
Seven years ago Ray beat prostate cancer, which was discovered through routine testing.

Gratitude expands
Dory is grateful, too, that there is radiation treatment available close by, at Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center in Wyoming.

A trip from her home in Almelund to Wyoming is a ìbreezeî she said. And she should know, sheís had 28 radiation treatments there.
The Johnsons farmed for a living, Ray still has a garden. Both were teachers and Ray also sold insurance. North Branch is ìtheir townî they said, thatís where all five children went to school, too.

Dory will be at the 2005 Relay for Life event July 29-30. Youíll find her helping out under the big white tent, especially with the reception for the many survivors.

Relay For Life Information
The 2005 north Chisago County Relay for Life will be held at Tanger Outlet Center once again. It is set for Friday, July 29 beginning with the Survivorís Reception at 6 p.m.

At 7 p.m. there will be an opening program on the track by the large white tent. There will be food and entertainment throughout the evening.

At dusk the luminaries lining the track will be lit and the participants will begin their all-night walk. It is truly an inspiring event. To date, $18,000 has been committed in corporate sponsorship and 34 teams are signed up to walk that night.

The Relay committee has set a goal of $80,000.

It is not too late to help raise funds for the 2005 Relay for Life event.

Community residents can help by participating in the many raffles, games and prize give-aways at the track on the night of the event.
Also, team members are still collecting pledges for their participation in the annual event.

Corporate sponsors
Corporate sponsors include: Stanley K. Tanger, $5,000; First National Bank, $2,500; University of Minnesota physicians - Radiation Therapy Center, $2,500; Community National Bank, $1,000; Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center, $1,000;
G & K Builders, $1,000; Nelsonís Market, $1,000; North Branch Furniture Outlet USA, $1,000; Plastech Corporation, $1,000; Reider Machine, Inc., $1,000; AmericInn Motel, $500 and Andersen Windows, $500.

Food donors
Food donations for the event include Chisago/Isanti Dairy Farm Association, Domino's Pizza, Frito Lay, Holiday Stationstore, Koepís Village Bakery, McDonaldís, Nelsonís Market, North Branch Lions, North Country Coffee, OíFudge Deli & Coffee, Rush City Bakery, Stacy Lions and Viking Coca Cola.

Other donors and participants
The North Branch American Legion Post #85 will provide the color guard for the opening ceremony, the city of North Branch and Bauerly Bros. will provide sand for the luminaries, East Central Sanitation will provide trash containers and Peterson Garden Center will provide water tank coolers.

Educational information will be provided by Chisago County Public Health, Dr. Leon Nelson, and Sun Dental.
See next weekís edition for track map and complete program information.

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All cancer survivors are invited to the Survivor's Reception at 6 p.m. They will receive a t-shirt and Relay for Life pin. At the
ceremony, the survivors will release Monarch butterflies and receive a rose just before the survivor's lap which leads off the walk. If you are a cancer survivor, contact Sharon Gallagher at (651) 674-5886 and let her know you will attend the reception.

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