Woman walks to honor her and family members’ breast cancer journeys
On Oct. 5, 2024, Lake Tapps resident Trudy Bleiler and her 5-year-old granddaughter participated in Come Walk With Me, an annual breast health walk.
As they crossed Sumner’s Cannery Way Bridge with more than 2,000 pink-clad walkers and volunteers, her granddaughter’s eyes grew big.
In an awed tone, the young girl said, “This is so cool.”
The event, hosted by MultiCare Good Samaritan Foundation, raises funds for breast health programs at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital and access to care through Good Samaritan Cancer Resource Center.
Joining Bleiler and her granddaughter were family members, friends, colleagues from 1st Premier Insurance Services LLC, clients and fellow Sumner Rotarians.
“I did have one emotional moment — when we were coming through the finish line, all my people started chanting my name,” she reflects. “It hit me like a ton of bricks that I was really in this fight and certainly not alone. It brought me to tears.”
An unexpected diagnosis
Bleiler is no stranger to breast cancer. In June 2023, one of her sisters passed away from the disease, and two of her aunts have been survivors for 20-plus years. Bleiler’s mom was also a 20-year breast cancer survivor, and the pair would get their mammograms together.
During a routine mammogram in March 2024, something showed up. Bleiler had a similar experience previously that yielded nothing, so she wasn’t concerned when she was called back for an ultrasound and another mammogram.
But then she was told she needed a biopsy.
“My youngest daughter is a nurse, and she actually works in cancer research for MultiCare,” Bleiler says. “I talked to her on the way in to my biopsy, and I said, ‘You know, I’m feeling pretty good, pretty positive.’ And when I called her after I got done, I said, ‘I’m not feeling good anymore.’”
Bleiler made those calls on a Tuesday, and three days later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Treatment close to home
Fortunately, Bleiler’s diligence helped catch the cancer early.
On July 29, she had surgery 15 minutes away at MultiCare Regional Cancer Center – Auburn and then began radiation therapy there. Staying within the MultiCare family and again electing for care close to home, Bleiler’s oncologist was located at Good Samaritan.
When she first got the diagnosis, she was encouraged to use another health system based on her primary care provider.
“But I said, ‘Can I change that to MultiCare?’ Because my daughter worked for MultiCare, and my mom always went to MultiCare,” Bleiler explains.
The next three months were overwhelming, as she went from having a single annual doctor’s visit to regular radiation and countless appointments.
Her battle was also an internal one, where her thoughts were often dark and sometimes centered on death. Bleiler learned to acknowledge these emotions while still striving to stay positive, understanding that it’s all part of the process.
On the Thursday following Come Walk With Me, she was ready to ring the no-more-radiation bell.
“When I told my radiation team that my family couldn’t make it, they made sure I knew immediately that they would record me ringing the bell,” Bleiler says. “They all came and hooted and hollered for me, along with the reception staff. When I later got to my office, my radiation team was waiting for me again, along with my husband and my oldest daughter who works with me. They had balloons and streamers and cake and a gift.
“As I thought about why that day was so emotional, it is because when you are in the battle, you just keep moving forward, every day, trying not to think about it hoping for the best outcome,” she continues. “That day it hit me that part of it was over, and everything looked as good as it can for my future. It was a beautiful day.”
Keeping cancer care donations local
Bleiler at Come Walk With Me 2024.
Service above self is at the core of Bleiler’s being. This month marks her 25th anniversary with the Rotary Club of Sumner, where she’s helped enact positive change as a member, secretary and president.
Bleiler hopes her community will similarly serve its neighbors facing cancer.
“I’m a giver — I like to make a difference, and I hope there’s many, many, many givers out there,” she says. “I’m grateful for everything that’s put into cancer care because so many are being helped and saved. Keep the donations coming so that we have more survivors than we do non-survivors.”
To date, Come Walk With Me 2024 has raised a record-breaking $260,000 and counting for local breast health programs and services through the kickoff walk, generous sponsors, restaurant takeovers, specialty drink givebacks, donation jar contributions and individual fundraising efforts. During the event’s lifetime, more than $1.25 million has supported the cause.
