Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyndsay Levingston.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The summer of 2019, while working a rigorous career in TV news/media, is one I’ll never forget.
I felt a lump in my right breast during a self-exam and took immediate action. I scheduled a well-woman exam and experienced my first mammogram, 3-D mammogram, breast ultrasound, and biopsy.
On July 11, 2019, the radiologist called me with the results of the biopsy. “I’m sorry, Lyndsay, it’s breast cancer.”
I couldn’t comprehend the words I’d heard on the other line and for many days couldn’t articulate the “c” word.
I booked a one-way ticket and relocated from the New York City area back home to Houston where I would start treatment under the leadership and guidance of Dr. Jamie Terry of Texas Breast Specialists via Texas Oncology.
I would be surrounded by my loving, supportive village led by my mother, Ivy.
As I desire to become a mother one day, Dr. Terry advised that I proceed with egg preservation, so I did.
Then, I boarded the breast cancer train to remission. It was a whirlwind!
The initial treatment plan would include 15 rounds of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to shrink the grape-sized tumor in my right breast and a lumpectomy to remove any remains, and 6 weeks of radiation.
I wasn’t aware of any family history of cancer, but halfway through treatment, with the encouragement of a paternal cousin, I took a medical genetic test via Invitae. That test revealed I carry the BRCA 1 gene mutation. This means I’m predisposed to breast and ovarian cancers, at a higher risk.
With this new information, I take a life-saving detour after receiving 15 rounds of chemotherapy. I had a bilateral mastectomy and breast reconstruction to reduce my risk of breast cancer recurrence, and months later, a salpingo-oophorectomy, a procedure to remove ovaries and fallopian tubes to reduce my risk of ovarian cancer.
In 2020, we were impacted by a global pandemic and I had no desire to return to my life in the New York City area. I knew I wanted to resume my media work in a meaningful way, so I pivoted with a purpose.
In October 2020, I created SurviveHER, in response to a calling from God. He revealed to me that my life should be focused on reporting the news in a different way. Our mission is to inform, inspire, and empower women about breast cancer and help women get the resources they need.
I updated its status to a nonprofit entity in 2021 to position the organization to raise funds for women who need financial support during their breast cancer journey.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The ‘train to breast cancer remission’ was not an easy ride! I am so blessed and grateful to have survived, but it wasn’t easy. God was with me every step of the way.
Experiencing a breast cancer diagnosis is life-changing and includes not only physical but mental and emotional traumas that certainly changed me in a good way. I lost my hair, but it grew back thicker than ever, lol! I lost some muscle but gained remarkable strength in other facets of life. I lost my breasts, but I received two new (faux) ones. I lost some relationships, but have gained beautiful new ones for which I am grateful.
I don’t look like what I’ve been through, and I count it all joy (my middle name!)
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the proud Founder/CEO/Executive Director of SurviveHER, a breast cancer awareness nonprofit. I am extremely passionate about breast cancer awareness and advocacy. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime, and I will do all that I can during my assignment here on Earth to help and support women impacted by the disease.
I am an experienced multimedia professional. I have worked in television news for a decade both on-camera and behind the scenes. I also have experience as an adjunct professor and publicist. I also love hosting/emceeing events. Just gimme the mic!
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I took a risk by starting a nonprofit organization. I had no idea how to do it or what it would entail to get it off the ground. God gave me a vision and I forged full speed ahead.
I’m so proud of all that SurviveHER has accomplished in a short period of time, and I attribute its success to taking a bold risk.
2022 has been filled with such purposeful work for the organization – from hosting two successful events to give women access to free breast exams, creating care packages for breast cancer patients at Texas Oncology, hosting several successful fundraisers, collaborating with organizations, and receiving proclamations from the City of Houston and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. I also got the opportunity to write about SurviveHERship for ESSENCE magazine.
My advice to anyone with a small idea is to step out on faith and execute. Do the work. It requires great sacrifice, but there’s great reward in the end.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.imasurviveher.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/imasurviveher | www.instagram.com/lynzchristiantv
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/imasurviveher
Image Credits
Main photo: C’na Roberts Photography
Breast Cancer Awareness Block Party: Daryl Tillman Photography
SurviveHER/Giving Tuesday at Tootsie’s: Quinton Boughton/Stones Media Photography
SurviveHER Soiree/Proclamation: Quinton Boughton/Stones Media Photography
All others: Lyndsay Levingston
