Relay for Life names honorary caregiver

Distinction goes to Mary Bartusek

By Sarah Stultz | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Thursday, April 30, 2009

The Freeborn County Relay for Life Committee announced last week the honorary caregiver, honorary youth co-chairman and adult co-chairwoman for this year’s relay event.

The honorary caregiver will be Mary Bartusek, the honorary youth co-chairman will be Marques Kenison and the honorary adult co-chairwoman will be Joey Honsey.

This is the first year there is an honorary youth co-chairman.

Andy Johnson, who is chairing the Freeborn County Relay for Life this year with his wife, Sara, said the honorary caregiver and co-chairpeople will help people see on a normal level how cancer affects people.

“Their role is to help us by getting the community involved,” Johnson said. “There’s people out there who connect with people that we can’t, and it helps deliver the fact that cancer has no boundaries and it affects everyone.”

Mary Bartusek is the wife of the late Albert Lea Police Lt. Phil Bartusek, who passed away in December after a long struggle with cancer. Phil Bartusek worked in the Police Department for many years as a pioneer for curbing tobacco and alcohol use among teenagers and was involved in numerous community organizations.

In 2006, the couple chaired the United Way of Freeborn County campaign.

Kenison, a 14-year-old boy from Austin, attends Crossroads Church in Albert Lea and participated in the Freeborn County Relay for Life last year.

He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was 4 1/2 years old and had three years of chemotherapy until he was 7.

Honsey, from Emmons, is a breast cancer survivor.

Each year at the relay, her husband, Dean, auctions off a hand-made wooden rocking chair that he’s made, Johnson said. The chairs have become popular over the years.

The three people being honored will serve as spokespeople for the local relay and share their stories to impact others.

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