Staff photo by Fritz Busch Relay For Life of Brown County 2018 participants light and look at luminaria at the event at the Brown County Fairgrounds July 27. The luminaria labeled with the names of cancer victims and survivors.

NEW ULM — Eden “Bliss” Kalk talked about how to battle cancer and appreciate what’s really important in life in detail at the 23rd Annual Relay For Life of Brown County 2018 at the Brown County Fairgrounds July 27.

“I’m so blessed to be here today. I’m eternally grateful. I’ve experienced the circle of love,” said Kalk, the Honorary Chairperson at the Relay. “It made me realize God works through all of you to heal me. Don’t wait to love yourself. I’m really ‘blissed’ to be diagnosed with cancer. It’s made me live a life much healthier than I ever did before.”

Kalk said there are many things you can do to prevent and reverse cancer. Diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer last October, she is now receiving immunotherapy treatment at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, Il. In addition, she is following an alkaline diet and taking supplements.

A masseuse in New Ulm for 18 years, she continues to work part-time.

“Helping people heal by touch is more and more important in a world that gets more and more virtual,” Kalk said. “New Ulm is not a town afraid to share energy. I’ve received so much support from people here. The trickle-down effect of love and prayers have blessed me.”

Her journey has had its challenges. She said she had to return to chemotherapy treatment after getting colitis.

“Chemotherapy was a bridge back to immunotherapy, which has side effects too,” Kalk said.

She talked about her outlook on life.

“Follow your bliss. Don’t be afraid. Doors will open for you,” Kalk said.

She urged people to use prayer and meditation for a healthy spirit, eat clean, organic, raw food, get regular exercise, drink lemon water and apple cider vinegar, talk about your feelings, share loving kindness with others and don’t forget yourself.

In addition, Kalk practices yoga and eats vegetables from her own garden.

Kalk said she was told by a doctor that she had a 10 percent change of living beyond five years with her disease. With natural healing that she is undergoing, she was told by another doctor that she had a 60 percent change of living that long.

Kalk said her aunt, Taffy Brown of Davenport, Iowa is a 15-year breast cancer survivor who was told at one time that she had a three percent chance of living more than five more years.

Kalk said Bliss Stock, a Turner Hall fund-raiser with music and family-focused activities on June 17, was a huge success that she hopes will become an annual event to help other families in need.

“It gives me joy to help others. It’s motivation to keep myself healthy, so I may be present at this event for the rest of my life. Knowing what was created for me will bring “Bliss” to another family. This covers me with peace and hope,” Kalk said at the event.

Ways to reduce your risk of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society including staying away from tobacco, eating healthy, getting active, learn about the tests used to diagnose and track cancer, exploring environmental causes of cancer, learning how genetics impact your cancer risk, and how alcohol can affect cancer risk.

fbusch@nujournal.com