Tomah Journal - Printable Version

Story originally printed in the Tomah Journal or online at www.tomahjournal.com

Published - Friday, May 09, 2008

The survivors: Two are honorary co-chairs of TACS Trek

They are survivors. Tina Bernhardt and Ann Thompson have both battled breast cancer and prevailed. The two women are co-chairs of this year’s Tomah Area Cancer Support Inc.’s Trek, which is Friday, May 16, at Tomah’s Recreation Park. The event runs from 4 p.m. until midnight.

Bernhardt has had cancer twice. She had breast cancer 11 years ago and was cured only to have it recur. A different type of breast cancer was diagnosed at the end of July last year. She will be having final surgery the day before the TACS event.

Bernhardt said she has had a lot support from TACS, relatives and friends and her employer, V.T Griffin Services. Friends donated gas cards to ease the expense of her 25 trips to La Crosse for radiation therapy.

Thompson, of the Clifton area, was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2002. She had three rounds of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation therapy and two surgeries. Since July 2005 she has been a participant in a five-year clinic trial. She is taking medication that offers a 35 percent better chance of preventing recurrence than previous treatments.

She said it was a good thing to get in these studies because of the expense of the medicines and the safeguard to health -- prevention of recurrence.

Thompson, like Bernhardt, has an optimistic outlook. She said one “has to stay happy no matter what...” and make every day count.

There will be a walking track set up behind the grandstand. A silent auction is planned, homemade baked goods will be on sale and a luminary ceremony is also part of the program. Musical entertainment is also on the agenda. This year’s event will be run out of the green (Exhibit) building. Cost is $10, which will be used locally and to help fund cancer research in La Crosse.

TACS was established six years ago to help individuals and families deal with financial burdens due to cancer related expenses. In 2007 TACS provided $21,270 in financial assistance for 31 applicants.