From Track Star to Health Advocate: Donna Dennis’ Race to Fight Cancer

When Donna Dennis lined up on the track in her prime, she carried the determination and speed that made her one of the most promising Black athletes of her generation. A former track and field standout and Olympic alternate, Dennis was no stranger to discipline, sacrifice, and the will to push her body past limits. But in 2017, she faced a challenge that no training could prepare her for: a breast cancer diagnosis.

For Dennis, the news was both devastating and galvanizing. Like many women—especially Black women—her diagnosis came with harsh realities. Statistics show that while Black women are less likely than white women to be diagnosed with breast cancer, they are significantly more likely to die from it due to later detection, more aggressive tumor types, and systemic barriers in healthcare access. Dennis suddenly found herself confronting not just her own health, but a much bigger race: the race to save lives through education and early detection.

“I thought I was invincible,” Dennis recalls. “As an athlete, you think about your body in terms of performance, but not always in terms of long-term health. That diagnosis changed everything.”

Dennis credits her early diagnosis, her medical team, and her faith for helping her overcome the disease—and has now transformed her personal battle into a public mission. Today, she dedicates her time to speaking with young Black female athletes about the importance of paying attention to their health, knowing their family history, and not ignoring early warning signs.

She stresses routine self-exams and regular doctor visits—topics that too often get lost in the high-intensity world of athletics, where players may prioritize performance over preventive care.

“We train to be the best, but sometimes we ignore the small things. A little pain, a lump, fatigue—we brush it off. I tell these young women: don’t ignore it. Your health is bigger than the game.”

For Dennis, the track has always been about more than competition; it’s been about passing the baton. Today, that baton carries the weight of her lived experience and her hope for a healthier generation of athletes who will not only run their races but also take charge of their well-being.

“I tell them: being strong isn’t just about crossing the finish line. It’s about knowing when to stop, when to check in with yourself, and when to put your health first. Because if you don’t, the race could end before you’re ready.”

In the end, Donna Dennis’ greatest victory may not be measured in medals or times, but in the lives she inspires to take that all-important first step—early detection.