This is a compensated campaign on behalf of Samsung Home Appliances U.S.A. All opinions are 100% mine.
Six years ago, my life was rocked with a Cancer diagnosis and I really didn’t know what to do or who to turn to. Being a teacher and a lifelong student, I decided to become proactive about my health and my mental state and I researched cancer support groups online to connect with others who were going through the same struggles.
One of the angels whom I met was Mike Tufo. He was a Synovial Sarcoma Survivor and we would chat online during the wee morning hours about all of the concerns that were keeping us up at night. He was an amazing man who loved his sweetheart Dianne and their four sons.
I can still recall how he would comfort me and give me hope during those dark early days when I was first diagnosed. While he was fighting for his own life, he still found time to support others and be a mentor. Unfortunately, Mike passed away on December 1st, 2009 after 19 months of fighting for his life. He left behind his lovely wife Dianne and their four beautiful boys Joey, 11, Vinny 10, Marsi and Brennie, 8.
*Used with permission. Dianne Tufo, all rights reserved.
Dianne and I quickly became friends and I have come to admire her as one of the strongest women whom I know. Not many people would be able to go through all of the loss and tragedy that she has experienced and still manage to smile and forge ahead. She and Mike were together for 12 years and they were soulmates. Despite her broken heart, she has had to pick up and keep going for the sake of her four boys.
As if losing the love of her life and the father of her children wasn’t difficult enough, she has recently been diagnosed herself with stage 2 breast cancer. Dianne is currently undergoing chemotherapy for this along with volunteering for the Boy Scouts, teaching catechism, and serving on the Pennsbury Parent Advisory Special Education Board. She advocates regularly for two of her sons who have been diagnosed with Autism and Aspergers.
Dianne and her beautiful boys, Joey, 11, Vinny 10, Marsi and Brennie 8. *Used with permission. Dianne Tufo, all rights reserved.
During this time of the year, Dianne truly inspires me to be the very best person possible. She is the epitome of a Woman of Steel. As a matter of fact, sometimes I like to think that she is almost superhuman because her strength and fortitude inspire everyone who she comes in contact with. You will never hear her complain about the hand that life has dealt her and she is always available to give advice or to share comforting words with all of us who know her.
When asked, Dianne shared with me that she wants to be remembered as a woman who “Lived her vows, was devoted to her family, and continued to breathe one moment at a time.” This fall, Samsung wants to celebrate women like Dianne Tufo and all of the women, who like Dianne, seem to manage to do it all and to get through whatever obstacles life places before them. Please VOTE for Dianne Lelin Tufo as she is eligible to win a new refrigerator and a Samsung Kitchen Suite. I don’t know anyone who deserves this prize as much as she does!
Samsung Home Appliances is running a contest on Facebook where you can nominate a woman in your life who inspires you to win the chance at a premium dinner-party experience and a new kitchen suite, courtesy of Samsung! Nominate or vote for the heroine in your life and you could both win some amazing prizes!
Let’s Discuss: Who is the Woman of Steel in your life and why is she such an inspiration to others?
Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign on behalf of Samsung Home Appliances U.S.A. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2013, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
Dianne definitely sounds like an inspiring woman, a Woman of Steel for sure! I admire her courage and strength to not give up, even when faced with all the difficulties life has thrown at her.
Wow, now that I am sitting here in tears, all I can say is she is amazing and definitely as strong as steel.
Oh my, who is cutting onions? Yep, I have tears. Such a brave man, thank you for the beautiful but bittersweet story xxx
I love this inspiring campaign! I don’t think that I could pick just one woman!
What a powerful story. It’s so sad that Mike lost his battle, but I am happy that he was able to share his story with you and be there to support you when you needed him. He sounds like an amazing man and you were lucky to have known him 🙂
So sad-she is definitely a strong woman and I am sending healing thoughts her way-I also voted for her!
Diane sounds like an amazing woman! She has such a story but sounds like she is adding to it every day. I can only imagine her thoughts as she lays her head down at night. I hope only the best for her as she is fighting for herself and her family.–Ashley Gill
Thank you for sharing Diane and Mike’s bittersweet story with us. I will gladly vote for her!
What an inspiring woman and very strong and courageous. Voting for her now.
I will vote, thanks so much for sharing an inspiring person with us all
What an amazing pair of people – its so sad that people have to go through such trials. x
Oh my goodness! I was feeling down in the dumps today but realize I don’t have any sort of problems like this. Thanks for sharing.
She definitely deserves the vote. I can’t imagine going through all of that.
This is so wonderful to read. I’ll gladly vote for Diane. Thank you for sharing her story with us.
Such a great story! Thank you for sharing! It sounds like they are running a wonderful campaign!
Mine would be my mother, she has raised me and my 3 brothers and with ups and downs she still managed to be the best mom ever!
I can’t even begin to imagine. I had a cancer scare and it rocked my world, so scary. I admire your strength.
Great story and I agree she is very strong to go through both trials
Wow, she’s been through a lot. God bless her and hope she wins too.
some very inspirational stories. women can be strong for sure 🙂
Bravo to her for handling life in style and making it all work so well!
Wow has she been through a lot. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family and I hope she recovers and goes on to live a full life with those little guys of hers.
I would have to say that my mother is my Woman of Steel. You also was widowed with 4 children at the young age of 26. She did an amazing job of holding our family together and moving forward and giving us the life she felt we deserved.
Thank you for this inspirational story. Hope there will be more women like her.
This story brought tears to my eyes! Dianne definitely dserves to win this honor!
Voted. I sincerely hope she wins – it can’t possibly replace her husband or the time she’s lost fighting her own cancer, but she most definitely deserves it.
Very inspiring woman!