Last week, Murray County Relay For Life Co-Chair Linda Tobias wrote an article about some of the past Honorary Survivors, all of whom are being celebrated this year.
This week, she adds perspective from several more of the Honorary Survivors.
This year the Relay for Life is honoring the past Honorary Survivors we have been fortunate enough to have “Come back to Murray County” Join us for the Relay on August 9th at the Murray County Fairgrounds. Survivor Registration is by the Pork Stand. Park in the lot by the Horse Arena. See you at the Relay.
Aaron Brinks: I was honored at the 2006 Relay For Life. Relay for life brings people together in all stages of life and their cancer journey to give hope and support to both current fighters and survivors while remembering those that fought hard and no longer are with us.
Regarding Gary and Helen Brinks, by Linda Tobias: I have very fond memories of Gary and Helen and the Relays I celebrated with them since Relay number 2 for Murray County. Gary and Helen were all about the survivors and what they could do to make them understand that others shared their suffering and pain thru their cancer diagnosis.
Helen gave her speech the year she was honorary survivor about Faith, Family and Friends. In a nutshell, that is who Gary and Helen Brinks were.
They were very devoted Christians, Family was everything to them and Friends filled in the blank spaces they had. Anyone who knew Helen knew her passion for serving others.
She was an awesome cook and was very generous in sharing food with friends, family and church. She made the best RED applesauce and always had a rhubarb or apple dessert made fresh from her garden.
Gary’s passion was volunteering with the Garvin American Legion Post and the DAV. He spent hours emptying the clothes bins and sorting donated clothes which raised money to support Minnesota’s disabled veterans. Helen passed away June 10, 2021 and Gary on October 26, 2022. Although we don’t have the pleasure of having Gary and Helen at our Relay we will always have the memories of what they started for the Survivors in Murray County.
Joann Jefson: How has your cancer journey changed your perspective or life? I thank God every day for being cancer free. Love every day of my life of 96 years. What was your favorite Relay memory? It was all a great memory and a big surprise was I got to ride in a red convertible for the parade. What does Relay For Life mean to you? Getting together with people who have all gone thru some sort of cancer journey.
See you at the Relay For Life August 9th. If you have questions feel free to contact me at 507.763.3173.
Linda Tobias, Relay For Life Co-Chair
