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North Branch Outlet Mall is home for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, July 14, this year.  There are many activities for all between 4-10 p.m., including games, food (hot dogs, brats, walking tacos, baked goods, trail mix and root beer floats), music and a large silent auction until 7 p.m. 

Registration begins at 4 p.m.  A survivors/caregivers reception sponsored by Hermann Insurance and Brinks Market is at 5 p.m.  Opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m. A survivors/caregivers lap at 7 p.m. is led by bagpiper Paul Dennison.  Luminaria bags decorated in honor of cancer survivors or in memory of those who have passed will be lit at 8:30.

This year's honorary chair is Twyla Ring, North Branch. With her husband Ardell by her side.  Ring's cancer journey began in 1999 with basal cell carcinoma on her nose.  Thanks to early detection and surgery, she won that battle.  Basal cell was discovered on her scalp in 2014 and again it was treated successfully with early detection and surgery.  She's a firm believer in early detection, thus her constant support of Relay for Life.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, typically appearing as changes in the skin, such as a growth or sore that won't heal.  They may be pearly white, skin colored, a pink bump, a brown, black or blue lesion or a flat scaly reddish patch with a raised edge.

Ring has been a part of Relay for years.  She has also been a community activist including volunteer tutoring at North Branch Elementary School, leading PTA, and serving three terms on the school board.  She also was the Post Review newspaper editor.  In 1997 on a Minnesota/China educational exchange program, she taught English at Hangzhou Foreign Language School.

In 1999, when Senator Janet Johnson District 18, lost her battle with brain cancer, Twyla was elected to fill that post in a special election in November and reelected in 2000.
Relay organizers hope many residents of Chisago County and nearby communities visit this fun, encouraging and inspirational Relay.  All cancer survivors should participate and find support.

A great resource for cancer information is the American Cancer Society hotline:
1-800-277-2345.

To learn more about Relay for Life or to make a
donation, go to www.relayfor life.org/chisagoMN or contact joannbelau@gmail. com. 361-522-7419.

Check Facebook.com/
RelayforLife of ChisagoMN.  Donations are accepted for 30 days following the event

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