Meet Our Board

I am a life long resident of Faribault and I have been an Oncology Nurse Practitioner at Allina Health Cancer Institute, Faribault Medical Center since 2012 providing cancer care to our community. In this role I have seen the financial, physical and emotional impact a cancer diagnosis has on individuals and families. Through the Light of Hope Foundation I hope to lessen the burden for patients and families. My passion for helping families facing a cancer diagnosis began at a young age when cancer touched my own family. I volunteered on the Rice County Relay for Life committee since 2000 and donated time to community cancer and prevention events as well as many other organizations including Honoring Choices advisory board, Faribault Blue Line Club board, Faribault Hockey Association Bethlehem Academy and a member of the 2019 Blandin Faribault cohort.

I am a lifelong resident of Faribault and am employed by the Minnesota State Academies for the Deaf and Blind.  I have been involved with the Relay for Life Committee, supporting the fight against cancer, for the past 17 years prior to the development of the Light of Hope Cancer Foundation. In the past I have served on the Faribault Futures Committee and the Paradise Center for the Arts Events Committee. I have been touched personally by cancer, losing several close family members and I had my own personal battle with cancer in 2014. It was during this journey that I gathered a lot of information and found a lot of support in Rice County. Now, I am on a mission to assist others within the community. 

Many of us have been touched by cancer in one way or another and I am no exception. After seeing the trials that family and friends have gone through, I knew I wanted to try to help make a difference for them. I joined the Relay for Life Committe as a member a few years ago and with the transitioning we are doing this year to the Light of Hope Cancer Foundation, I knew I needed to be involved. I am very excited with the outlook for this foundation and the vision the Board has in helping so many people that are dealing with cancer. 

Hi, my name is Gayle Nagel and I am a Board Member for the Light of Hope Cancer Foundation. I originate from Ortonville, MN which is a small town on the western boarder. I was brought up to show compassion for those that could use a little help and taught to look for ways to give back to the community. Faribault became my home for than 30 years ago and I am overwhelmed at the generosity of the community with so many organizations. I was a committee member of the Relay for Life group for several years and as we transition to this new foundation, I look forward to being an active member to raise donations in order to help cancer patients and their families through their cancer diagnosis. 

Faribault had been my home for over 11 years. I love raising my girls in a small town, community-based atmosphere. I have worked in Radiation Oncology treating cancer patients since 2003.

Working with cancer patients is my passion! I am excited to join the Light of Hope team and have the opportunity to serve our community on a greater level.