Gena Tokar was a five-time cancer survivor. After getting surgery for her 5th cancer, she developed lymphedema in her lower extremities, which she valiantly battled for years. It would eventually cost her her life. It took away her ability to work and limited her ability to earn a living. She was a vocal advocate for changes to the healthcare system, which didn’t identify lymphedema as a treatable illness, limiting resources for care, even contacting senators and congressmen to try and make a difference.

Gena’s passions in life were everything Pittsburgh, especially their sports teams, and music. She followed the local music scene and helped to promote artists such as Joe Grushecky and the House Rockers, The Clarks, Bill Toms, and especially Bill Deasy. She was also all about Bruce Springsteen and went to every concert she could, and could answer any question you had about Bruce. The songs were her poetry in life, and she applied their messages to her own life.

Gena died from complications of lymphedema on March 24. Her friends would like to give her the support she deserves in providing her with burial in the place she wanted, near her parents. If you can help to make this happen for Gena, we would greatly appreciate it. In the words of another of her favorite artists, “All you need is love.”

Please help us to love Gena.