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Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, overlooking the lower bay of North Center Lake in Center City is the venue for Relay for Life, supporting the American Cancer Society. This year the event is Friday, August 23.   This is a beautiful place to have the Relay due to the dramatic landscaping and sweeping steps in front of the church where all the candled luminary bags are placed and lighted.

The evening starts with a barbecue food truck - Center City Swine Circus, so come for dinner.  A Silent Auction returns this year from 5-7:30 p.m.

The main program starts at 6 p.m., featuring Honorary Survivor, Pam Wille, and music by Jon Ekstrom. Also, Paul Dennison will be playing his bagpipes as supporters walk the luminaria route.  Starting about 8 p.m. hundreds of luminary bag candles will be lighted. At 8:15 p.m. there will be a silent lap in honor and in memory of those impacted by cancer. The event closes at 9:15 p.m.

This year the relay is honoring Pam Wille from North Branch. She is a multiple myeloma cancer survivor and has been a member of the Butterflies of Hope/Trinity Lutheran Church Relay team.  This year we welcome her in a special way.

She comes from Norwegian and Swedish families, was born in Hibbing and raised in Lexington, MN right near Circle Pines. She worked for American Guidance Services (AGS) and has enjoyed early retirement in Arizona and North Branch.  She knows she was exposed early to carcinogens, like smoke and probably bad well water, but research still has not found a direct relationship to any environmental causes.

She has remained very positive along her three-year journey, and she followed all the healthcare provider’s recommendations and always replied, “just consider the alternative.” Pam has had a large support group, starting with her husband, Jim,  families and many faith groups.  “The power of prayer really worked. Knowing all the care and concern was coming our way, from doctors and staff and those praying for us – it really helped us to stay positive,” she said.

Pam’s cancer is a rare blood cancer that affects a person’s plasma cells.  Plasma cells are white blood cells, a part of our immune system, and help us fight infections.

Multiple myeloma happens when healthy cells become abnormal cells that multiply and produce abnormal antibodies.  This change starts a cascade of medical issues and conditions that can affect your bones, kidneys and your body’s ability to make healthy white and red blood cells and platelets. Healthcare providers can’t cure multiple myeloma, but they can treat related conditions and symptoms and slow its progress.

Fortunately, there is a potential for prolonged remission.

Multiple myeloma is rare, affecting about seven people out of 100,000 people each year. Healthcare providers estimate about 100,000 people in the United States have multiple myeloma.  Multiple myeloma affects more men than women. 

If you, your family, or a friend has been touched by cancer  and would like to get involved, connect with Chairperson, Grace De Vault, 

[email protected].

If you would like to donate or buy a luminary in honor or in memory of someone, go to www.relayforlife.org/chisagomn.

Donations will be accepted until October 1, 2024.

American Cancer Society has a great hotline too – 

1-800-227-2345.

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