Finding Your Best Self
You can call her T. I do. I also call Teresa Adams-Tomka a friend, mentor, entrepreneur, and leader. She is a humble leader, the kind of leader you find nestled in the back of the long line of trekkers, helping others trudge along a steep path that zig zags up and down valleys, around boulders and rock cairns to the Base Camp of Mount Everest. That’s how I first met T, wearing dusty hiking boots and yak wool mittens.
Because of Above + Beyond Cancer I have a trustworthy friend in T. That friendship deepened after sharing a tent on A +BC’s second trip, a transformational journey to Africa. In my reflection from 2012 I recalled this:
Nights seem like a big girl slumber party with my tent mate, an independent woman, who shares my farm girl spirit, and embodies strength through adversity. She has been faced with many “Kilimanjaro’s.” Amid grieving the accidental death of her husband, raising five children through college and opening a unique kitchenware shop, she philanthropies for Above and Beyond Cancer. Her brother battles stage four cancer. On this journey she is a devoted caregiver, identifiable by her laugh that begins with a thunderous, one syllable HA, trailing with equally loud two syllable ha ha’s. Tonight, unable to return to sleep post visit to a latrine covered in light brown goo, we muffle soft ha ha’s in the wee hours. A camp of snores serenade our whispers. I confide my motherly guilt for leaving home for two weeks. “Yeah, but they need to see mom do these things.” Her wisdom comforts my conscience.
Since 2012 Teresa’s brother has passed from cancer, and four grand babies have been born. When she isn’t toiling at her store she hangs with her adult children and beautiful grandchildren . Occasionally finding time to bike, swim and entertain company of dear friends. She is an avid traveler and chef.
She was immediately driven to the mission of Above and Beyond Cancer, to
Elevate the Lives of People Touched by Cancer to Create a Healthier World. Which she coins “finding your best self… even while freezing your a$$ off.”
She recognizes how our mission has grown and evolved, becoming more experienced and progressive, and adaptable.
In addition to being a key caregiver on transformational journeys to Nepal, Africa, and Peru, Teresa serves on the Board of Directors for Above + Beyond Cancer. She is integral at volunteering with fundraising event management.
Teresa currently shines mostly as our lead chef and co-leader for our nutrition and cooking class series that’s held at her amazing store, Kitchen Collage. She was one of the first to break ground in the East Village in 1999 and lead the vision to transform that area of Des Moines.
She loves the nutrition and cooking classes because of the people and their willingness to learn and change habits because of their “new lease on life,” post cancer diagnosis. Participants learn about nutrition, the joy of cooking and the value of eating together. “We are here to inspire people, but instead get inspired by others who are in a difficult space,” says Teresa. She hopes the mission of Above + Beyond Cancer can continue to impact the health of others, inspiring people to find choices that will improve nutrition and be active. Anything to boost immunity, especially in the time of Covid-19.
Teresa says A +BC involvement has changed the trajectory of her life, gifting more cultural awareness, human perspectives and resiliency. Recently Teresa was awarded Iowa Woman Business Owner of the Year with the Business Record. She is a mom doing things. Lots of things. Thanks Teresa for serving on our BOD, thanks for being a stalwart for philanthropy. Thanks for helping putting East Village on the map. If you don’t know Teresa Adams-Tomka, sport a mask and go visit her store, Kitchen Collage, or check it out online. You’ll find some great kitchen items and a new friend. Now, the rest of us… go do some things!
Mary Van Heukelom is the Program Director for Above + Beyond Cancer and Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer. Want to get involved, volunteer, or learn about our virtual and social distanced outdoor programs? Contact me 515–669–9879 or email mary@aboveandbeyondcancer.org
