Stronger Together: Team Phoenix unites cancer survivors with remarkable results

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- From a daunting diagnosis to a life well lived, a group of ladies who've conquered cancer credit their 180-degree-turn-around to well-played cancer management plans, plus diet and exercise, but mostly to friendship.

"Nobody chose a diagnosis of cancer, you know you're blindsided, by that diagnosis," said Ilka Hoffins, Team Phoenix Program Director and Advocate Aurora Health Care Special Events Coordinator for Cancer Survivor Services.

In 2018, Julie Anderson was living her best life with a high-profile job.

"We're trying to help collaboratively with a solution to the problem," Julie Anderson told CBS58 in a news report about lifeguard pay raises in Racine County.

Cancer came out of no where for the former Racine County Public Works Director.

"I had regular mammograms since the age of 40. I have no family history including a twin sister, no family history," said Anderson.

Up first for Anderson, surgery in 2018. That was less than two months after her breast cancer diagnosis.

"I think cancer is a great equalizer. It doesn't really care how old or what your experiences are," said Hoffins.

In 2019, a second surgery became necessary.

"I had bilateral mastectomy with what they call a deep flap reconstruction. So, in the same surgery they removed all my breast tissue and then they took tissue from my lower belly, and they basically moved it into my chest. I had a lot of a lot of wounds that needed to heal. I had drains coming out of eight parts of my abdomen," said Anderson.

While Anderson was on the mend, nearby another woman was hearing that same stop-you-in-your-tracks word from her oncologist.

"It brought me down, and it brought me down more mentally than physically," said Raluca Stuleanu.

In 2018, Raluca Stuleanu, a general dentist in Menomonee Falls, was also told she had breast cancer.

"I had young teenaged kids at the time. It was extremely scary, and it took a toll on our family for sure," said Stuleanu.

At age 50, Stuleanu had her first breast cancer surgery.

"I had double mastectomy. I had shortly afterwards a hysterectomy related to the side effects of the tamoxifen treatment of the breast cancer. I was really sad, I didn't know how to process it, said Stuleanu.

Two women sidelined from busy lives, now with anxious idle time to wonder, and who to even talk to about it?

"I was I don't know speechless and could not even discuss about it. I couldn't even talk to my mom at that point because

I knew she would suffer if she would see me going through this," said Stuleanu.

That's when Team Phoenix entered the picture. Run out of Advocate Aurora Health Care, participants say the group helps pick up the pieces of a life that can feel broken after a cancer diagnosis.

"And we're a very unique program. There isn't anything like us anymore that I've ever heard of," said Hoffins.

Ilca Hoffins is program director, overseeing this group of ladies ranging in age from early 20s to mid-70s.

"And we bring them together to do a challenging, but an attainable goal in 14 weeks which is training for a triathlon," said Hoffins.

Here, Team Phoenix is getting together at the Pettit National Ice Center.

"Start with your reach and rock," said a Team Phoenix instructor.

It's exercises first, stressing the importance for survivors to get moving.

"Plant your back foot lift it up knee straight and little lean forward," said the instructor.

"And we also utilize past years coaches and alumni and volunteers from Aurora Health Care who help us train the new athletes and we have about 50 new athletes every year," said Hoffins.

Team Phoenix already has a handful of women signed up to compete in the 2025 triathlon that is held at Ottawa Lake.

Their 14 week training session begins in mid-April.

"A majority of people it's their first triathlon because less than two percent of the population has ever done a triathlon. So, when they cross the finish line it is a huge accomplishment," said Hoffins.

It's women only, training together twice a week for those 14 weeks leading up to the Tri-ing for a Cure Triathlon.

"They're all cancer survivors and that is the camaraderie. Because when people come, they feel like they're a part of something and they're not going through anything alone anymore," said Hoffins.

"And for me it was a way to find a new purpose in my life," said Anderson.

"Tonight, we have the integrative medicine team leading a presentation about meditation and aromatherapy, and how that can help cancer survivors," said Hoffins.

In addition to running, biking and swimming, participants can attend nights like these with a friend, thanks to a grant from

Kohls Healthy Families and the American Cancer Society.

"And then they also bring healthy snacks so that people are getting recipes and ideas for healthy eating," said Hoffins.

"It's something that's hard to explain, but we are a tribe, and we're sort of a tribe of sisterhood. We all speak the same language when it comes to our cancer journeys," said Anderson.

"Family can give you support, but people that are actually you know, can feel what you feel exactly, and have been through the same you know, ups and downs and the same mix of emotions and the same roller coaster, will connect at a different level with you. How much do these ladies mean to you? They mean everything to me," said Stuleanu.