Tuk selected as 2013 Hero of Hope

WASILLA — Adding one more to her string of accomplishments, a well-known Valley woman has been selected as an American Cancer Society 2013 Hero of Hope.

Care Tuk of Wasilla was selected based on her commitment to fighting cancer through her constant inspiration and contribution to her local American Cancer Society Relay For Life event and programs.

Tuk is an 11-time cancer survivor who has battled cervical, ovarian, breast (twice), thyroid, lymph, malignant melanomas and is currently successfully battling stage 3c+ colon cancer. She has fought cancer since she was 19, three years after losing her mother to cancer.

Tuk tells her story in her book “Loose Screws and Skinned Knees: Turning Life’s Obstacles and Adversity into Opportunity and Adventure.”

In 1985, Tuk also had the honor to intern under Dr. Gordy Klatt, who founded the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event in Tacoma, Wash.

As a Hero of Hope, Tuk will be instrumental in working with the society to broaden the outreach of survivorship throughout the year for Relay for Life and serve as a society spokesperson to share her inspiring story.

For more information, contact info@caretuk.com or the Anchorage American Cancer Society office at (907) 277-8610.