WAITE PARK -- A Waite Park woman has no shortage of love or support as she battles cancer for the second time in nearly two years.

Janette "Nettie" Long grew up in a small town in Kansas and dreamed of making a difference, so she became a teacher.

After doing social work and counseling work for many years she found her way to the St. Cloud school district. She's currently working with students that have mental illness. 

Long was first diagnosed with endometrial cancer in August 2014 and after going through treatment Long was cancer free. The same cancer came back a year later and spread making it terminal cancer.

Cancer doesn't slow Long down though, she is still an active volunteer with Beginning Experience. Beginning Experience (BE) is an organization that works to help people during the grieving process after going through divorce or losing someone.

When it comes to her cure, Long believes anything is possible.

"They [the doctors] are giving me a year but I'm a very spiritual person and we've already had lots of miracles happening along the way with this. So I say it's in God's hands how much time I have left, I just want to make every day count and not let cancer take that away from me."  --Long

After 15 years, Long will be going on leave from the St. Cloud school district at the end of this month (May) due to her health.

"I won't be working next year, that's been pretty hard for me because I have always worked with kids and I know I'm going to be lost without that in my life," says Long.

To help with Long's medical and living expenses her friends and fellow BE members are hosting a fundraiser.

The event will feature a pulled pork dinner, silent auction and meat raffle. "Stretch" from the Fabulous Armadillos will also be playing during the event.

The fundraiser is on Sunday from 4:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at Moose Lodge in Waite Park.

Janette "Nettie" Long Photo By: Chrissy Gaetke, WJON
Janette "Nettie" Long Photo By: Chrissy Gaetke, WJON
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