We recently connected with Denika Lundy and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Denika, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

So for me, my story begins with happenstance. I happen to be 27 years old. 2001 ,When I received the news of my diagnosis I was in the second stage of breast cancer I was predisposed, on my mothers side I inherited a gene a mutated gene. My mother before me, her sister, their mother, my great grandmother, her two sisters . My two sisters after me… Cancer just happened to plague my family. After chemo ,10 surgeries, a failed marriage i had to start healing , start living and then my sister turned 27 and was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 1. in 2002 .I turned from a fresh survivor to a caregiver, i would have done anything to help her ,my sister. In 2009 is when my sister Dory got news of breast cancer for the second time. In her breast bone putting her in stage 4 cancer because it metastasized to her bones we knew that it was time to put our armor on and begin to fight this battle to live! We had to keep our minds busy in order not to break down . We created 2Sisters4Life,Inc . Breast Cancer awareness. We wanted to go to speak in schools and get young people prepared and ready. We wanted them to know their own normal so if they were faced with this happenstance in their life, they would know what to do. They would be aware ,they could handle things in a timely manner, they would be proactive in their health, ensuring a higher survival rate from breast cancer, or any cancer when you are aware of your body. And we did!
We wanted 2Sisters4Life.Inc to be a nonprofit organization , we geared our efforts into inner-city communities and give information and resources for women to know they’re normal and be active in their health. And we did! We wanted to arrange transportation to doctor visits and hold your hand while advocating for you and your family. And we did! We wanted to go into churches and different events to start a conversation of knowing you’re normal in hopes of a better survival rate . And we did! 2Sisters4Life,inc has traveled from USA to Jamaica to Gabon Africa starting a conversation and speaking to the masses on awareness.
In 2011, July 9 my sister Dory passed away , my life changed again, I had to live with out her, my best friend, we were 18 months apart . She will forever be 35. I turn 50 in march 2024 and the day after my birthday I celebrate 22 years cancer free! I am an Author , co-founder of 2Sisters4Life,inc , Public Speaker and owner of Positive Growth Daycare, I keep going because it’s my job to tell my story, to help my community grow and strengthen our knowledge on breast health! My whole community, men are not exempt!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Denika Lundy I was born and raised in Syracuse New York , this year I will be a 22 year breast cancer survivor! It didn’t end when my survivorship started. The fear it could come back for me or someone I love was just there. so what I could control I did , I put myself in the public eye , I contacted radio stations and TV stations and asked if I could be interviewed , I had something to say something that could probably affect a lot of people, whole communities. My family didn’t explain to me about breast cancer I had to live it I had to see that there was no help. I had to understand that nobody had any information to give me. Why am I 27 years old and getting breast cancer and what do I do next? What do I need to change? And finally how could I help change the stigma of breast cancer in the inner cities , under served communities. Where black and brown women are getting breast cancer younger and younger, going undetected or finding out in the later stages and dying. 2Sisters4Life,Inc created a conversation starting in Syracuse Ny speaking at high schools and churches setting up information tables at local events . consistently for five years 2 sisters4life, inc had annual walks and Pink Party fundraisers. , In 2014 I traveled to Gabon Africa after being there three months the people of 4 churches came together to here my story and have a community conversation on breast cancer awareness again this was my happenstance. In 2017 I was in Jamaica and been a guest on the morning show CVM in Kingston Jamaica , in 2023 interviewed with Omega/Klass radio station with Vernon Derby and also interviewed Jamaica Observer 2023. I will continue to create a conversation where ever I go ! In hopes of a higher survival rate for all communities!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I think of bouncing back I realize my resilience comes from my experience my happenstance! Just because this happened to me doesn’t mean I’m owed kindness, doesn’t mean I’m owed support, the only thing I can control is me and I choose kindness and I will support when I can . I also know it’s my responsibility to continue to uplift and be a voice for my community.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

when you get sick, you don’t know what is next,will i make it? you can sink into a doubtful abyss. or you can Fight for your life . You have to change your thoughts. put a smile on your face to trick your brain , try it!

Yes i had to pivot, i always worked with children . i have a passion for them . When my sister passed away i lost that passion not the love but the fire. when i visited Gabon Africa I had a mission in mind to gather the masses to hear my story to teach them to know their normal , breast cancer awareness .while experiencing so many differences ,language, food, culture. what remained the same is the children . Curious, energetic, happy kids. I happen to be living with 5 little ones under 10 for the next 3 months i happen to be put in care of the kids. My happenstance again! I woke up everyday to 5 kids depending on me.
i wasnt ready , well thats what i thought in 2018 i opened my home daycare Positive Growth its been the best move for me , im looking forward to whats next!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.2sisters4life.com
• Instagram: denikalundy
• Facebook: Denika Lundy

Image Credits
la Vergne Harden