Gundersen’s Carolyn Bostrack talks with Central students of overcoming hardships

The head of the Cancer Center wrote book called F.I.E.R.C.E.

Carolyn Bostrack has not had an easy life. 

Molested at age 4, pregnant at age 20 through an abusive relationship, and forced into the Salvation Army line for her next meal.

Fast forward a couple decades and she’s a published author and program manager of La Crosse’s Gundersen Health System Cancer Center.

Bostrack spoke to La Crosse Central High School students yesterday about overcoming adversity. 

The book she wrote is called F.I.E.R.C.E.

Bostrack details in the book, along with the aforementioned hardships, also having to raise her sister at 9 years old due to her mother’s mental health issues.

She writes of six principles to follow for 5 minutes each day when faced with stressful situations. They include breathing, identifying a goal, examining barriers, reflection, courage and finally taking action

Bostrack credits the moment she turned her life around as standing in line at the Salvation Army with her infant daughter.