Cancer Fight Starts for Steele County Fair Secretary Jim Gleason

Known for his gift of gab, I was stunned to learn that Steele County Fair secretary Jim Gleason was having trouble communicating. That led to a trip to the Owatonna Hospital and ultimately to Rochester to discover that he has brain cancer.

His CaringBridge site indicates that surgery has taken place and his recovery and therapy has begun, which will include chemotherapy. The site also says support has been overwhelming and Gleason thanks those that have reached out to him. The Steele County Fair's Facebook page says it is an incurable and aggressive form of cancer.

Gleason, who spent many years as a salesman with KRFO radio, is always such an upbeat guy. He and I talk sports every chance we get. He also loves to update me on the ongoing events and achievements of his children, and now his grandchildren. I now that positive attitude will go a long way toward helping his recovery.

This year at the fair a special day was set aside for 2013 OHS grad and longtime fair worker Matt Ratzloff who was in the process of beating leukemia. We hear about those victories sometimes, confirming progress is being made. We can only hope science finds a way to beat cancer for good someday, soon.