Because of Brandon

Because of Brandon, a fund raiser in memory of Brandon Houge, a young man from Ironton who unexpectedly passed away in 2015 from complications of diabetes, will be Saturday, July 27, in Crosby. All proceeds will be used to fund youth diabetes camps, patient travel expenses, and educational events.

The benefit for Cuyuna Regional Medical Center's Diabetes Education Department will include a beer and wine tasting, silent auction, barbecue, raffle, and street dance featuring Pandemic from St. Cloud, all at the Crosby Bar & Grill. Pandemic consists of five musicians who enjoy performing music from the 80s. The band has performed at local venues in Central Minnesota for several years and with national acts Aultimate Ozzy, Steelheart, Firehouse, Warrant, Tesla, BulletBoys, LA Guns, Ratt, Loverboy and others.

The raffle tickets are for a 2018 Textron Alterra 700 ATV with winch and plow from Power Lodge ($7,999 value), Ruttger's weekend with meals and golf ($1,150 value), .22 LR Barracuda gun donated by Magnum Research ($840 value), $150, and $50. Tickets are $10 each at CRMC's Cuyuna Lakes Pharmacy, the Crosby Bar & Grill and various other locations.

More than 29 million people in the United States, or nearly 10 percent of the population, have diabetes and over one-third of adults have pre-diabetes. When diabetes is not well controlled, people with diabetes are at an increased risk of serious health complications including blindness, amputation, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and premature death. Because of Brandon funds go toward initiatives to promote awareness of this serious disease as well as programs to support those living with diabetes.