Masonic Cancer Center Annual Dinner-Forging the Future of Cancer Research and Care

 The Masonic Cancer Center annual dinner was held at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center on April 28, 2023. This year's theme was Forging the Future of Cancer Research and Care. 

194 attended the dinner which include donors, researchers and many whose lives have been touched by cancer.  Those gathered received updates on the progress at the Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center. 

The attendees were a most honorable and distinguished group as you could ever find. There were past and present Grand Lodge of Minnesota leadership, the CEO of Masonic Charities and its various board members, , the Directors of the Masonic Cancer Center, as well as staff, scientists, researchers, and medical professionals as well as donors and those interested in the current research. But probably the most important guests were any cancer survivors as they represent the progress that has been made in treating and curing cancer.   

During the social gathering before the program and dinner there were five interactive exhibits where everyone could speak with an expert in the represented field. I spent some time with the Coding for a Cure booth and learned about how the process to reprogram the DNA of the immune cell to help them fight cancer, and the Aging and Cancer Connections. I also had a photo opportunity with the Mascot of the University of Minnesota Goldy the Gopher. 

This year the program was held in the Ives Theater where we would be more comfortable. Sitting on our chairs was just the right size bag of popcorn. I needed a little snack before dinner. 

Executive Director Aaron Schilz began the program with opening comments and introduced the evening speaker Karen Bohn. Her heart rendering story of being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) and her 43 days stay in the hospital, and the eight months of Chemotherapy in her battle with this rare form of cancer. She found her stay and treatment at the Masonic Cancer Center based on cutting edge science and technology and filled with caring support. She found strength in their support as she lived with hope while coping with the uncertainty of the disease. I found her story filled with optimism and inspiration.

The seating arrangement for dinner was carefully crafted to ensure that staff from the Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center were seated at each table along with a variety of individuals to ensure meaningful dialogue as well as learn more about each other. 

Director Dr. Douglas Yee gave a wonderful recap after dinner. I was happy to hear about the update to the Masonic Discovery Lab which was started in March 2020. The university has brought together researchers under one roof to find the next breakthrough in cancer research. He stated that the program has become so successful with new discoveries, and additional researchers working on viable projects that they are now in the need for more space. 

For myself this annual dinner puts a human face to this wonderful charity that we support and reaffirms the reason why I support it so strongly. Having the opportunity to spend an evening with dedicated individuals who all share one common goal. To find a cure for cancer is deeply inspiring, and to treat and deliver great care for those who suffer from it in the meantime. 

I am proud to be a Minnesota Mason to be able to take part in this 65-year-old tradition, and to be able to see how our Masonic Cancer Center is making a great contribution to the lives of many people and creating a brighter future for all people affected by cancer here in Minnesota, and far beyond our borders. 

170th Grand Lodge of Minnesota Annual Communication

The 170th Annual Communicaton of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota was held on April 13-15, 2023, at The Park Event Center in Waite Park, Minnesota. 

Our yearly Masonic gathering is where the important business gets done for the Grand Lodge to effectively operate for another year. This year there were many needed resolutions and administrative details that were discussed and passed. 

It is also a wonderful opportunity for Brothers across the state to meet, and renew lifelong friendships, to meet new people and create new bonds. In other words, it's a three-day celebration of Freemasonry. 

The culmination of this three-day event was the 171st Installation of Officers Ceremony which took place on April 15th at 1:00pm. This was one of the best attended installations that I have seen in decades. Many of us had our concerns considering that we are in a changing post Covid period. 

Most Worshipful Grand Master Dayton L. Berg-Grand Lodge of Minnesota

This year our elected and installed beloved Most Worshipful Grand Master is Dayton L. Berg. 

Personally, for me, Dayton is a Masons Mason. He has worked tirelessly for 25 years, in my estimation, in many leadership roles for the Grand Lodge, traveling to every corner of Minnesota to help advance Freemasonry, all while creating strong bonds and understanding. Our Craft is in good, caring and loving hands. 

This year our guest speaker was Masonic Scholar, Lecturer and good friend Oscar Alleyne who presented " Prevalence of Clandestine Freemasonry in the U.S".  

This was a marvelous time for us to see each other in person and get caught up. We first met over a decade ago in Washington D.C. 

I think I can positively say that the 170th Communication was successful in so many ways. The popular refrain from The Tylers Toast applies. Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part, Happy to Meet Again. 

I Am a Mason in Motion

 

Today, I took part in supporting one of our Masonic charities and became a little better and healthier man for it.

Today I participated in the 13^th Annual Goldies Run at the University of Minnesota. This is an annual fund raiser to support the pediatric patients with heart disease at Masonic Children’s Hospital.

Goldy’s run is one of the first early Spring running events in the area, so it’s a great way to get out of the house after a long winter’s hibernation, for a shakeout run to get you in the right mindset for the running season.

Mother nature played an April Fools joke on us by dumping 8 inches of snow two days before the race, making running conditions icy, slippery, not exactly ideal…but hey this is Minnesota!

The 5K course took us thru the campus while the 10K course went thru the campus and along the Mississippi River. For anyone who had attended the University of MN, we saw all the hallowed landmarks of the U that brought back many memories. The finish line was on the 50-yard line of Huntington Bank Stadium.

Standing with 7000 registered runners at the starting line, I had a lot of emotions running thru my head.  I was anxious, excited all while hoping the last ten months of hard work, would pay off for me.

My journey to the starting line started ten months ago when I stepped out of the shower and looked in the mirror. That prompted me to get on the dreaded bathroom scale.

Being mildly shocked by the number displayed, I knew I had to do something if I wanted to maintain my health. I believe at that moment, I directly applied one of the Masonic teachings we learn to arrive with a solution.

I have always believed that Freemasonry takes good men, and makes them better by teaching them valuable lessons, so the individual can directly apply those lessons to their lives. In essence, self-help, but with more.

The tool I applied to myself, was introspection or self-examination. Then I determined my needs and methods to achieve results.

I started by visiting my doctor and consulting with her. My proposed solution was to move more and eat less. Follow a sensible diet called “My Plate” and exercise. My plan met with her full endorsement, although to be honest, I think she was skeptical.

My journey took ten months, and I lost 90 pounds. To exercise, I started riding my bicycle, then I started walking and running.  Today I ran my first 5K run with 7,000 others, who I imagine are all on their own journeys. .

Running for a guy receiving Social Security benefits isn’t easy, and I can see that there is room for improvement, but I finished in the top 2500 runners, is nothing to sneeze at either.

In case you are wondering. I finished 29 in my age group and yes, I was passed by four students who were members of the marching band and carrying tubas. But I finished and thus the journey continues.

I am now a Mason in Motion and, I hope, in a way, an inspiration or example for any other Masons.  The journey begins with that first thought and then that first step.