HUMAN

Name: Tanjala Eischens 
Age: 59
Residence: Wasilla, Alaska
Occupation: I’m a business owner, I own two businesses, Cable 17 and Homestyle Plus Catering Company.

Years involved with Iditarod: About 10
Iditarod Role: Well, I’m a musher’s wife. (laughs) And a cook, so, yeah. Just wherever they want to put me.
Current Location: AIRLAND TRANSPORT WAREHOUSE – ANCHORAGE
Date of Photo: FEBRUARY 21, 2020
Temperature: 64 F inside

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?:

Well, I’m a musher’s wife. (laughs) And a cook, so, yeah. Just wherever they want to put me.

What is your Why?.. Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?

Okay, I’m here today and involved with Iditarod because I love the sport, I love the dogs, and I just, I love being a volunteer, helping wherever I can, but also doing the People Food Drop and because I’m going to be the cook in Nome this year, which I’m excited about.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was when Alan actually crossed the finish line in 2015 and then another one was in 2016 when we were able to bring our poster child that has brain cancer, Remedy, to Nome with us and she was actually able to see Alan cross the finish line the first year with his all 16 dogs come across the finish line. And that was, special because Remedy is a cancer survivor and we promote National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and just try to bring awareness to the villages and to the different communities about pediatric cancer. So for her to be able to come into Nome and to watch him cross the finish line, that was pretty special to all of us.

What do you know for sure?:

Okay. What I know for sure in life is, that I have a family that loves me, I have a family that supports me, and I have a lot of friends in Iditarod. And just getting to go out and meet new friends and make them happy, that’s what I enjoy and just love that I know that I’m going to get in return.