Mallory Foxx survived kidney cancer and won Mrs. Black International Ambassador

This is a guest post by Mallory Foxx, kidney cancer survivor and the 2023 Mrs. Black International Ambassador.

On April 15, 2023, I heard the words that would change my life: “Mallory, you have cancer.”

I was shocked. Me? Cancer? What?

I was in disbelief to say the least. I was scared, I felt a sense of confusion, but for some reason, my faith felt bigger than my fear. I knew that I was in for a fight, and I was ready for it. My name is Mallory Foxx, I’m a mom, wife, the reigning Mrs. Black International Ambassador 2023, and I am a renal cell carcinoma survivor.

When I was first diagnosed with this disease, I didn’t know how to react, but I knew that I was not going to let the diagnosis define who I am. In the US, over 600,000 people live with kidney cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, but it is rare for a healthy woman in her late 30s to have this type of cancer. With modern technology and the dynamic breakthroughs when it comes to medicine, the survival rate of this type of cancer has definitely significantly increased.

With the help of my urologist Dr. Jarrod Brown and his team at Urology Specialists of the Carolinas, one week after winning the title of Mrs. Black International Ambassador 2023, I was prepared to undergo a successful partial nephrectomy robotic surgery. I am forever grateful to say that I am now officially cancer free. I am under the watchful eye of my specialist and will be under observation for the next 2 years. 

In the African American community, it’s difficult to come to the realization that making our health a priority is scary simply because of the fear of the unknown. I am so glad that I advocated for myself, and I listened to my body when I knew something was wrong. This Black History Month, I want to challenge our community to take control of their health, even though it can be difficult. Doing our preventative screenings, tests and visiting the doctor regularly can not only improve one’s way of life but treat whatever problem may arise. If I hadn’t listened to my body, I don’t want to think of where my life would be or would have become.

I’m extremely excited to be partnering with the Kidney Cancer Association and helping to bring awareness to kidney illnesses and cancers. I want to bring awareness by sharing my story and being an advocate for the KCA’s mission to serve and empower patients and lead change in the hope of a cure. And hopefully, my story will inspire someone else to take the first step to finding a doctor they trust and listening to their symptoms.

With my platform as Mrs. Black International Ambassador 2023, I want to amplify impactful stories of triumph and overcoming obstacles such as cancer. I’m so excited to join the KCA’s 82K Challenge, which everyone can participate in to raise awareness and research funds on behalf of the 82,000 people who will be diagnosed with kidney cancer this year, during the month of March – Kidney Cancer Awareness Month – and be a champion of hope to spread awareness to all.