A former TV news presenter died at the age of 53 after her battle with cancer.
Tanya Sumner, also known as Tanya Spencer, died Friday at her home from an aggressive form of cancer that started in her colon.
Sumner was a news anchor for WRTV in Indianapolis for ten years and in television journalism for twenty years.
In a heartbreaking final Facebook message to her friends, Sumner said: “Time. Good health. Those are our only real goods. Our only real currency that matters.”
The married mother of one discovered during emergency surgery on November 17, 2022 that she had a rare, genetically mutated aggressive form of colon cancer known as Kras G12c mutation.
Tanya Sumner, 53, died Friday after an aggressive battle with a rare, genetically mutated form of colon cancer
According to a GoFundMe page created for Sumner on behalf of her two best friends, Julia Kathary and Jody Chiarotti, her cancer spread to her abdominal wall and eventually spread to her organs.
Despite several chemotherapy treatments, the cancer persisted and eventually “grew into a network of lumpy tumors” that then “wrapped themselves around her internal organs” before spreading to her liver and lungs.
In 2023, Sumner sat down and spoke about her diagnosis on WRTV, explaining that in September of that year, another round of chemotherapy was also ineffective in fighting her 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 holding off on getting one herself.
Sumner was a news anchor for the Indianapolis station for 10 years and in television journalism for 20 years. (photo: WRTV host Rafael Sánchez next to Sumner)
In 2023, Sumner sat down and spoke about her diagnosis on WRTV, explaining that in September of that year, another round of chemotherapy was also ineffective in fighting her cancer.
“If you could imagine that I found this tumor the size of a grapefruit six years earlier, we would be having a very different conversation,” Sumner said.
“Yes, it’s uncomfortable, it’s unpleasant, no one wants a colonoscopy, but go get that thing!” It’s not that bad,” she added, saying that if she had undergone the procedure earlier, she might have had more time.
In 2021 the CDC announced new guidelines calling for adults to undergo colonoscopy exams at age 45 instead of age 50.
During her battle with cancer, Sumner was supported by Kathary and Chiarotti, who met the late journalist nearly thirty years ago in Evansville, Indianapolis.
‘I took Tanya to the doctor’s office and told them they weren’t leaving until they started something. We are fire-breathing dragons,” Kathary said WRTV in November.
Sumner called her best friends her “advocates” who “lifted her up.”
On the GoFundMe page, Kathary explained how Sumner’s chemo treatments and medications became expensive, as one of the medications cost approximately $233,000 for a year’s treatment.
She previously encouraged others to make sure they schedule routine colonoscopies after holding off on getting one herself
During her battle with cancer, Sumner (center) was supported by Julia Kathary (right) and Jody Chiarotti (left), who met the late journalist nearly thirty years ago in Evansville, Indianapolis.
“We are tapping into all our networks, filling every drug grant we can find, pushing and pulling with the insurance company, looking for clinical trials and medical breakthroughs, and asking you, Tanya’s friends, family, colleagues and community for help. ‘ wrote Kathary.
As of Saturday evening, the page has raised more than $17,000.
“This past year has been a struggle and Tanya has been quietly waging war because she didn’t want to upset you, her friends and family. But it’s time we rally behind 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 outside of Indianapolis.
After news of her tragic death was shared, former colleagues, family, friends and fans paid tribute to her on social media.
“Sad to hear about the passing of Tanya Sumners (Spencer), one of my favorite reporters from WRTV 6,” said Indianapolis resident Michael Pruitt.
‘She fought with everything she had and never gave up hope. God Speed Tanya,” he added.
The city of Zionsville, just outside Whitesville, also reported Sumner’s death.
After her time as 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 “connected emotionally with people.”
“Tanya was a true public servant, wife and mother, she will be missed by all. “Both Whitestown and Zionsville are better because of her efforts,” the city said.
A friend, Rhanda Stewart-Carlile, said, “She taught me that there should be absolutely no talking in the morning before coffee.”
“She was sharp as a knife, the easiest news anchor to watch, and she was one of many who took me under their 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 aunt. Until we meet again.’
On her LinkedIn page, Sumner described herself as a “storyteller at heart” who enjoyed finding stories that “connected emotionally with people.”