A former television news anchor has died at the age of 53 after her battle with cancer.
Tanya Sumner, also known as Tanya Spencer, died at home on Friday from an aggressive form of cancer that began in the colon.
Sumner was a news anchor for Indianapolis’ WRTV for 10 years and worked in broadcast journalism for 20 years.
In a heartbreaking final Facebook post to his friends, Sumner said: ‘It’s time. Good health. Those are our only true commodities. Our only true currencies that matter.
The married mother of one of them discovered she had a rare, genetically mutated aggressive form of colon cancer, known as the Kras G12c mutation, during emergency surgery on November 17, 2022.
Tanya Sumner, 53, died Friday after an aggressive battle with a rare form of genetically mutated colon cancer.
According to a GoFundMe Page created for Sumner on behalf of her two best friends, Julia Kathary and Jody Chiarotti, her cancer metastasized to her abdominal lining and eventually spread to her organs.
Despite several chemotherapy treatments, the cancer persisted and eventually “grew into a network of nodular tumors” that then “enveloped his internal organs” before spreading to his liver and lungs.
In 2023, Sumner sat down and talked about his diagnosis on WRTV, explaining that in September of that year, a new round of chemotherapy was also ineffective in fighting his cancer.
‘Faith in God: If I’m going to be healed, it’s going to be God who heals me,’ Sumner said during the interview.
She previously encouraged others to make sure they schedule routine colonoscopies after she put off getting one.
Sumner was a news anchor for the Indianapolis station for 10 years and worked in broadcast journalism for 20 years. (pictured: WRTV anchor Rafael Sánchez with Sumner)
In 2023, Sumner sat down and talked about his diagnosis on WRTV, explaining that in September of that year, a new round of chemotherapy was also ineffective in fighting his cancer.
“If you could imagine me finding this grapefruit-sized tumor six years earlier, we’d be having a completely different conversation,” Sumner said.
‘Yes, it’s uncomfortable, it’s unpleasant, no one wants a colonoscopy, but go get one! It’s not that bad,’ he added, stating that if he had had the procedure done sooner, maybe he would have had more time.
In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new guidelines requiring adults to start having colonoscopy screenings at age 45 instead of 50.
Throughout his battle with cancer, Sumner had the support of Kathary and Chiarotti, who met the late journalist in Evansville, Indianapolis, nearly 30 years ago.
‘I took Tanya to the doctor’s office and told them we weren’t leaving until they started something. “We are fire-breathing dragons,” Kathary said. WRTV in November.
Sumner referred to her best friends as her “advocates” who “picked her up.”
On the GoFundMe page, Kathary explained how Sumner’s chemotherapy treatments and medications were becoming expensive, with one medication costing around $233,000 for a year of treatment.
She previously encouraged others to make sure they schedule routine colonoscopies after she put off getting one herself.
Throughout his battle with cancer, Sumner (center) has had the support of Julia Kathary (right) and Jody Chiarotti (left), who met the late journalist in Evansville, Indianapolis, almost 30 years ago.
‘We are tapping into all of our networks, filling out every drug grant we can find, pushing and pulling with the insurance provider, looking for clinical trials and medical breakthroughs, and asking for help from you, Tanya’s friends, family, colleagues, and community. . ‘Kathary wrote.
As of Saturday night, the page has raised more than $17,000.
‘The past year has been a battle and Tanya has quietly waged war without wanting to alarm you, her friends and her family. But it is time for us to come together for Tanya,” Kathary added.
After her time as an anchor, Sumner pursued a career in politics as vice president of the District 3 council in Whitestown, about 30 minutes from Indianapolis.
After news of his tragic death was shared, former colleagues, family, friends and fans paid tribute to him on social media.
“It’s sad to hear about the passing of Tanya Sumners (Spencer), who was one of my favorite reporters at WRTV 6,” said Indianapolis resident Michael Pruitt.
“She fought with all her might and never lost hope. God bless you, Tanya,” he added.
The city of Zionsville, outside Whitesville, also posted about Sumner’s death.
Following her time as an anchor, Sumner pursued a career in politics as vice president of the District 3 council in Whitestown.
On her LinkedIn page, Sumner described herself as a “storyteller at heart” who enjoyed finding stories that “emotionally connected with people.”
‘Tanya was a true public servant, wife and mother; We will all miss her. “Both Whitestown and Zionsville are better off because of her efforts,” the city said.
A friend, Rhanda Stewart-Carlile, said: “She taught me that you can’t talk at all in the morning before coffee.”
“She was very smart, the easiest news anchor to watch, and was one of many who took me under her wing when I first moved to Evansville to work for WFIE.”
Sumner’s niece, Chey Smith, posted photos of her on Facebook and said, “Fly high auntie.” Until we meet again.’
On her LinkedIn page, Sumner described herself as a “storyteller at heart” who enjoyed finding stories that “emotionally connected with people.”