When Carla Gerstenberger survived breast cancer in 2011, she didn’t just count her blessings — she started counting the ways she could help others facing the same fight. What began as a small support network for women battling breast cancer has grown into Ties That Bind Us, a Tomahawk nonprofit that now helps anyone in the community facing a cancer diagnosis.
This June, the group hosted its 10th annual Cleavage Open at Inshalla Country Club, a nine-hole scramble that’s become much more than just a day on the links.
More Than a Round of Golf
The Cleavage Open isn’t your typical corporate golf outing. Held every first Saturday in June, the event blends competitive scramble format with on-course games, raffles, and contests that keep the atmosphere light even while raising serious money for a serious cause.
“It’s a fun day,” says board member Carmen Perrodin. “We have contests, raffles, games on the course, everything. It’s really the only fundraiser we do for ourselves.”
Last year alone, the event raised around $16,000 — funding that goes directly into the hands of local patients navigating one of life’s toughest journeys.
Gas Cards, Groceries, and Getting Through
In rural Wisconsin, cancer treatment often means long drives to specialty centers in Wausau, Marshfield, or even Madison. Those miles add up fast, and so do the bills.
Ties That Bind Us addresses that reality head-on with practical support:
- Gas cards to cover trips to treatment appointments
- Food cards for groceries when budgets get tight
- Starter totes packed with essentials for newly diagnosed patients
- Lodging assistance when overnight stays are needed for appointments
- Informational books and resources about what to expect during treatment
“If someone is diagnosed with cancer, we give them a tote to start with,” explains treasurer Lori Rogney. “We give them gas cards, food cards.”
It’s the kind of help that doesn’t make headlines but makes all the difference when you’re trying to keep your household running while fighting for your life.
From Breast Cancer Focus to Community-Wide Support
When Gerstenberger founded the organization in 2011, the mission centered on women facing breast cancer — survivors helping survivors through a uniquely difficult experience.
But needs have a way of expanding, and so did the nonprofit’s reach. Today, Ties That Bind Us supports people fighting all types of cancer, from prostate to lung to leukemia.
“In a small community like Tomahawk, when someone gets a diagnosis, we all feel it. This is our way of making sure nobody faces it alone.”
That evolution reflects something important about Northwoods communities: when neighbors need help, folks find a way to step up.
Why This Fundraiser Matters in the Northwoods
The Cleavage Open concentrates donations, volunteer energy, and community awareness into one highly visible event each year. In a smaller town, that concentration matters.
Insurance might cover chemotherapy, but it won’t fill your gas tank for the 90-minute drive to treatment three times a week. It won’t pay for the hotel when weather makes the drive back impossible.
Those gaps hit especially hard in the Northwoods, where distance to specialty care isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a significant barrier that can affect whether people stick with treatment plans.
Research from the American Cancer Society confirms what locals already know: community-based fundraising plays a vital role in Wisconsin’s cancer support infrastructure, particularly in rural areas where patients travel farther and have fewer nearby resources.
How to Support or Get Help
While the Cleavage Open serves as the nonprofit’s main annual fundraiser, Ties That Bind Us accepts donations year-round. The need for cancer support doesn’t follow a seasonal schedule.
If you or someone you know in the Tomahawk area receives a cancer diagnosis, the organization provides assistance without lengthy applications or bureaucratic hurdles. You can find more information through the Tomahawk business directory.
For those who want to help, next year’s tournament will happen again on the first Saturday in June. Mark your calendar now — whether you golf or just want to support the raffle, every dollar stays local and helps a neighbor when they need it most.
That’s the thing about the Northwoods: we take care of our own. One golf scramble, one gas card, one moment of support at a time.
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