Staff writer
During Greg Brenzikofer’s short speech between Marion vs. Hillsboro basketball games Thursday, he had all of the cancer survivors in the Marion audience stand up. There were only a few people scattered across the crowd, but he continued by asking the people who knew someone who had cancer to standup. With that, the entire crowd was on its feet.
“We want as many survivors as possible to be recognized,” he said. “It gives people in treatment hope.”
Seven years ago, Brenzikofer was diagnosed on Christmas Eve with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Brenzikofer was diagnosed at the same time as his cousin, Rochelle Brenzikofer, who worked for Western Associates in Marion. Rochelle and Greg went through treatments together. After three months of chemotherapy and 47 days of radiation, Greg’s cancer went into remission, but Rochelle died.
“That’s the reason I do what I do,” Greg said.
Greg Brenzikofer is originally from Marion County, but currently lives in Harvey County. He is a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and the recipient of the 2008 Hero of Hope Award.
The Hero of Hope Award is given to just two Kansas-resident Cancer Society volunteers every year.
“My job is to give back to the Cancer Society for what they gave me,” Brenzikofer said.
Anyone interested in participating in Marion County Relay for Life should contact Janet Herzet at (620) 382-2177.