Surviving Cancer… Twice

By Tina Chip

Over the last 30 years, we’ve all experienced significant events… the boom of the Internet, electric vehicles, the 2008 Financial Crisis, the death of Michael Jackson, but the most significant thing in my life & in the life of my family is celebrating being cancer-free for 30 years now.

As a young lady, in high school & 16 years old, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Instead of juggling teenage drama or hormonal mood-swings or an over-booked social calendar, I was fighting for survival. I was a teenager battling an adult disease. Four months of daily radiation treatments and several surgeries were my weapons. And I won. I was cancer-free and had a new lease on life. I had to grow up quickly. I had to mature my perspective on life and have a reality-check about all the things that eventually fade away in this world. And I came away from that experience stronger and with gratitude and joy to have a life that I could live to the fullest.

I went onto college and graduated, but soon after, the “C” word crept into my life again. This time it wasn’t Hodgkin’s, it was breast cancer caused by the treatment I received for the Hodgkin’s. How could it be possible that the very treatment that saved my life would put it at risk again? When I was diagnosed, they told me my breast cancer was stage 3 and very advanced. I was going to need months of chemotherapy and radiation again. So there I was, 22, just started a career in TV, had began climbing the entertainment ladder that I had dreamed of and now my life was turned upside down. My treatment lasted over a year, including all of the surgeries and reconstruction. My strong belief in God, my faith and the unwavering support and love of family and friends gave me a revived strength to battle once again.

So here I am, 30 years later, with a survivor story. I’ve had the good fortune of sharing my life story on MTV, the Oprah Show, in People Magazine and countless other shows and magazines. I also serve as a board member of Lurie Cancer Centers Board 39 and on the Service League of NWI and I am also a mentor for Imerman Angels. I am also a board member for The TGB Foundation. I’ve spoken around the country and am so grateful to have a platform to advocate for early detection and working with medical teams to create a personalized treatment plan.

I am thrilled to be celebrating 30 years as a breast cancer survivor and 35 years as a Lymphoma survivor. And now, to be honored as the 2024 DOROTHY MARIE GILLESPIE HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT.

Today, as a partner in an automotive group that owns dealerships in Northwest Indiana, called Southlake Auto Group, my family & I are blessed to use our story to do good in the community.

During the entire month of October, Southlake Kia, Southlake Mitsubishi, Southlake Nissan donates funds to support the men and women in the community whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. To date, we have donated over $60,000 to support Pink Ribbon Society’s programs and services and the many individuals they serve in Lake, Porter, Jasper and Newton Counties in Northwest Indiana.

My family & I are honored to use our story and abilities to help others affected by breast cancer. Thank you for supporting our business so we can contribute to this close-to-our-heart cause.