REGIONAL—Christina Hujanen, a well-known community activist and two-time candidate for St. Louis County Commissioner is facing the fight of her life as she battles esophageal cancer that has spread to other organs.

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester informed Christina last week that the cancer is inoperable, but they are developing a chemotherapy regime in hopes that the progression of the cancer, now at Stage Four, can be halted.

Christina, age 48, has four children, including two older boys Justin and Mark Grotberg, no longer at home, and two younger sons, Ryan and Logan Hujanen, ages 13 and 11.

Christina, who has battled adversity before, said she feels fine, but had noticed for months that she was having increasing difficulty swallowing. When she finally went to the doctor for the issue, she learned the shocking diagnosis.

Christina has been a tireless advocate for others, particularly young people and seniors, and has served in a number of volunteer capacities over the years, both in her community and even internationally. In 2007, she received St. Louis County’s Volunteer Excellence Award for founding the Tower-Soudan Senior Citizens Group, and for her efforts on behalf of the Tower-Soudan Athletic Association, and for organizing numerous events in the community. She was also the recent Regional Governor for Soroptimists International and represented the philanthropic group twice at United Nations conferences. In addition, she was an active volunteer with the American Red Cross, and had served as a volunteer coordinator on the relief effort in New York City following Hurricane Sandy as well as a number of disasters in Minnesota.

“She has such a good heart for those around her,” said former Tower Mayor Steve Abrahamson, a longtime friend of Christina’s. “I think all that she’s done for the community has been a marvelous thing.”

Andrea Zupancich, who got to know Christina shortly after moving to the area, said she has always been amazed by her tenacity and her outsized personality. “Christina is always so happy and up and determined. And she’s got more guts than anybody I know.”

Zupancich grew closer to Christina as they spent more time together during leadership trainings, as well as continuing education classes for real estate agents and brokers, during which they routinely roomed together. “I admire so much about her,” said Zupancich. “She lives so in the moment and would do anything for anyone in two seconds flat. I think about her every day and every minute. I just hope she can get past some of the big hurdles she’s facing.”

As her activism turned more to politics in recent years, Christina made her mark even as she fell short in two bids for the county board. In both races, she got past primary contests, but lost uphill fights to longtime incumbent Mike Forsman in 2010 and longtime state Rep. Tom Rukavina last November. In both races, she polled better than expected and did particularly well with seniors.

Her energy and enthusiasm frequently caught the eye of political leaders. “Christina always seems to be everywhere at once, with such boundless energy and desire to make life better for those she touches,” said Congressman Rick Nolan, after learning of Christina’s diagnosis. “Whether she’s engaged in her extensive volunteer work across the Range, or helping folks out east rebuild from Hurricane Sandy, or mentoring young women through her work in the Soroptimists Club, her determination to make a difference guides her life and sets a marvelous example for others.”

Christina had recently landed a new job working at the Delta Airlines reservations center in Chisholm, and was set to start her training this past week. That’s now on hold while she undergoes her cancer treatment. According to her close friend and former employer Michelle Lyons, Christina will soon begin a six-week round of extensive chemotherapy and radiation. She’ll be given about six weeks to recover before undergoing surgery to remove a portion of her stomach and esophagus, a procedure that will involve several more weeks in the hospital. That will be followed by a second round of intensive chemotherapy and radiation.

While Christina does have insurance coverage through MinnesotaCare, travel and other expenses are adding up quickly. That prompted longtime friend Darin Alto to establish a Go Fund Me site for Christina. “She was in a career transition,” said Alto, “and she really needed immediate assistance from a financial standpoint.”

Alto said Christina is one of the most giving people he knows. “The woman has wings on her back when it comes to that. She was always give, give, give. This diagnosis is just crushing.”

People can donate to the Christina Premo-Hujanen Medical Fund at https://www.gofundme.co-m/m57am4rw.

While the prognosis is discouraging, Christina’s friends note that few people they know have the kind of personal strength that she brings to every challenge. “She’s a fighter,” said friend Luann Zaudtke.