Nancy Delger doesn’t just &uot;get by&uot; with a little help from her friends. She thrives on it.

When Delger, assistant director of nursing at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 2002, she was unprepared for the support she’d get from her co-workers there.

She began receiving chemotherapy almost immediately, with a course of four treatments every three weeks, then had a month off. In April, she had surgery, then began another course of four chemotherapy treatments every three weeks. She finished up with 7 1/2 weeks of radiation, which ended in October.

A group of co-workers &045; Joy Shaft, Sharon Evenson, Theresa Thorland, Denise Andersen, Renae Peterson, Maribeth Walton and Lynda Everhard &045; all took Delger out for dinner the night before her surgery. They’ve continued to go out for dinner monthly.

Shaft, who was then the director of nursing services, showed up with a plant in a pot from which the group took its name, &uot;The Bosom Buddies.&uot;

To this day, the group has been amazed that through all her treatment, Delger continued to work.

&uot;It was always with a smile,&uot; Peterson said.

&uot;I had to come to my extended family,&uot; Delger explained.

The group planned special days, where everyone wore a bandana or hat to work as Delger was doing because she had lost her hair during treatment. And they were all there to help out at the reception when Delger’s daughter got married while she was still having chemotherapy.

While Delger was going through treatment, Everhard challenged the group, as well as other Good Samaritan Center staff members and their families, to further support Delger by riding in the Freeborn County American Cancer Society Bike-A-Thon.

Everhard first rode in the Bike-A-Thon as a child, and has served on the committee for many years.

Five of the Bosom Buddies, along with their family members, did take part in the team ride last year. They raised $1,800 for the American Cancer Society. Team members all wore shirts they’d had made with a photo of them at their first dinner printed on the front.

They all made it the 10 1/2 miles to Glenville. Walton and Evenson are still laughing about being the last riders into the town, being followed by the sheriff’s car.

&uot;It’s a good thing we didn’t ask for pledges by the mile,&uot; Evenson added. There was also some good-natured groaning from all of them about having to get up so early on a Saturday morning.

Still, that’s not going to stop them from going again. This time Delger plans to ride herself, and they’re picking up a few more people as well, including Andersen and Peterson, who were unable to ride last year, and Julie Stevens and Donna Kuipers.

&uot;These guys being willing to get up between 5 and 5:30 is the reason why I made it through the last year,&uot; Delger said of her co-workers, who were instrumental in getting her to go to the doctor for the diagnosis in the first place. &uot;With their love, not only did they help me, they’re helping everybody in the same situation. They’re working toward that possibility that there won’t be anyone else (with cancer) someday.&uot;

It’s hit doubly close to home for Walton and Evenson; both women lost their mothers to cancer last year.

Shaft said she simply feels a family connection to the group, even though she’s moved on to another job elsewhere. &uot;I feel like we’re true friends,&uot; she said. &uot;With them, no one has to ask. They ask first.&uot;

The Bosom Buddies’ efforts have been encouraged by Good Samaritan Center officials.

&uot;I fully support this group’s efforts,&uot; said Administrator Mark Anderson. &uot;It’s a really good example of the spirit this facility has when it comes to helping others.&uot;

Tina Horkan, the director of nursing services, said the team ride gives employees an opportunity to grow together. &uot;It’s an opportunity to relate to each other outside the workplace, which makes it easier to relate to each other in the workplace,&uot; she said.

While they haven’t had time to all get on bikes and go out riding together, a new wellness program at Good Samaritan Center is helping them to get in shape. Good Samaritan has a treadmill and pro-gym which employees are encouraged to use on their breaks, Peterson said.

This year’s Bike-A-Thon is scheduled for Saturday, May 3. The ride will begin at 6 a.m. at the Sibley Warming House, and travel 100 miles throughout the county.

&uot;We challenge everyone to get a team going,&uot; Everhard said.

For more information on the team challenge portion of the ride, call Mike Woitas at 373-5513, or Kent Erlandson at 373-6418.