This Inspiring Story Brought to You by Grape-Nuts

Cancer Survivor Rides for Charity

The Massachusetts resident credits her husband and daughter for her inspiration and success. Sponsored by Grape-Nuts.

  About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary's historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. Gina Utegg has experienced her share of challenges, but they seem to only make her stronger and more determined. In a 2001 motor vehicle crash, she sustained a serious brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, and had to relearn many life skills that most people take for granted. In 2009, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and endured surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Here, Utegg openly talks about the obstacles she has faced and what inspired her to overcome them. 1. What’s the biggest …

• Photos (1)
• Videos (1)

A Night of Comedy To Benefit Tewksbury Woman's Cause

Upcoming event will benefit local woman's Pan Mass Challenge ride.

When Tewksbury resident Gina Utegg made the decision to sign up for the August 2012 Pan Mass Challenge she knew that it wasn’t going to be easy. Having already survived a traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder and breast cancer she was, however, confident in her ability to overcome the odds and, once again, make a difference. Gina’s story of survival is an amazing one but, what’s even more impressive than her ability to overcome the odds is her determination to help others do the same. A familiar site around Tewksbury and Wilmington with her bright yellow recumbent bike, Utegg has spent the 11 years since her tragic automobile accident working to better herself and, at the same time, making the world a better place for …

• Photos (1)

They Say 'She Can't,' But She Says 'Why Not?'

Gina Utegg has battled traumatic brain injury, PTSD and breast cancer. Next up is the Pan Mass Challenge.

(UPDATE: Gina Utegg has been chosen as The Huffington Post's Greatest Person of the Day for Tuesday, Feb. 21. You can read about past honorees here.) For Tewksbury’s Gina Utegg, life has been filled with challenges. A mom in her mid-40s, Utegg has already faced traumatic brain injury (T.B.I.), post traumatic stress disorder and breast cancer.  What Utegg has never done, however, is give up.  An inspiration to countless numbers of people fighting both TBI as well as cancer, Utegg has spent the past 11 years of her life reinventing herself and proving that no one can tell her that “she can’t!” In 2001, Utegg was involved in an automobile accident with an alleged drunk driver. The accident left her with traumatic brain injury as well as post-…

•  14 Comments
• Photos (3)

Gina Utegg

2:44 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012

Kellie, Your family, the staff and all the wonderful people at Aurora have been supportive of me (for cancer, disability, all of our children's sports) and so much more. Thank you for your kind words, and for making my hair look good.... ;0)..hahhhaaaha Thanks again for the support and friendship.   more ›