Giving back to Gabe

He said "no." I (Jody Anderson), spoke to Gabe this morning, October 28th, 2018, and asked him if I / we (Gabe's Army) could help support and offset some of the substantial financial burden he and his family have incurred recently due to a recent medical diagnosis Gabe received. Gabe gave me a firm "no," which I was confident would be the answer I would receive. However, I was prepared for this, so before I asked him, I informed him I wouldn't accept no for an answer, and I'm sticking to it! For over 50 years, Gabe has been positively guiding and mentoring students, recalibrating, and steering them back in the right direction. Many of these students, were maybe too proud or maybe didn't realize they needed his guidance and support (this was me). Had he accepted my no, our no, it may have changed my, and so many other students lives in negative ways forever. Instead, he didn't accept it and instead Gabe blessed me, and thousands of others with his gifts of empathy, guidance, mentorship, and life altering support. He didn't accept my "no," he never accepted no for an answer when he knew one of "his" kids needed his support, so I am not accepting his "no" today. It's our time to support Gabe, so here's the dealio: Today, I am asking for a call to action for one of Grand Forks' finest community members, Tom Gabrielson (Gabe).  Gabe was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and has and will continue to incur heavy expenses tied to treating his cancer both here in Grand Forks @ Altru Health System and when he is traveling to and lodging in Rochester, MN, receiving treatment @ Mayo Clinic. Gabe has positively influenced so many of us during his 50+ years of service at Red River High School and remains a positive influence to me and so many others to this day. Now it's our turn to support Gabe and show our gratitude for all he has done for all of us!  He has given so much to so many, whether at school, at church, to his athletes who were so fortunate to have played for him during his coaching days, his colleagues and students mentored by him, community members, or those who have been blessed to call him a friend or family member, it's our time to give something back in return. Here is my call to action:  If able, please consider donating, only what you can afford, to assist in offsetting some of Gabe and his families medical and travel expenses, so he and his family can focus on fighting and winning his battle with cancer.  If you can't afford to donate, no problem, as my most important call to action is for all of us to pray for encouraging, successful results as Gabe and his family navigate through this complicated battle with lymphoma. You got this Gabe! Thank you in advance to all of you for supporting our Gabe! We love you! Gabe's Army!