FOX59 Anchor Shares Cancer Survival Story to Help Others

After surviving colorectal cancer and Stage 4 lung cancer within a year, a local news anchor is turning her hardest chapter into hope for others facing the same fight.

Lindy Thackston, a FOX59 news anchor, shared her cancer journey as the keynote speaker at Riverview Health's Women for Women Health Summit on February 5 in Westfield. Her story started in 2020 when she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and underwent 15 rounds of radiation, 25 rounds of chemotherapy, and seven surgeries.

Just months after finishing treatment in early 2021, Thackston still felt something was wrong. Doctors discovered Stage 4 lung cancer in August 2021, requiring part of her left lung to be removed.

Facing another round of chemotherapy felt impossible. But Thackston credits getting a second opinion with changing everything.

Instead of more chemo, she had a liquid biopsy test called Signatera that monitors for cancer cells in the blood. She's been cancer free ever since.

Why This Inspires

Thackston's most powerful message isn't about the treatments that saved her life. It's about what came after.

"What I have personally learned the most is that caring for your mind and your spirit must accompany the physical care," she told the summit audience. She emphasized that post-treatment therapy became essential for coping with cancer recovery, a part of healing many survivors overlook.

Now back to public speaking about her experience, Thackston says she's doing what feels right for her own healing while helping others. "I really just go by what I'm needing myself and what I feel like I can offer people," she said. "But ultimately, that's what I want to do, is help."

The summit also featured panel discussions on menopause, hormone therapy, and mental health for women. Dr. Shalin Arnett reminded the audience that suffering doesn't have to be the norm, especially with modern treatment options available.

Dr. Kimberly Moran delivered another crucial message to the room full of women. "I bet all of you consider yourself caregivers, right? Well, it's time to prioritize yourself," she said.

Thackston proves that survival is more than being cancer free—it's about finding purpose in the pain and using your story to light the way for others.