Tough Kookie breast cancer race planned for October

TEXARKANA — The first Tough Kookie Foundation Breast Cancer Race will be Oct. 16 on the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Campus.

Texarkana resident and breast cancer survivor Katina Levingston started the 501c3 Tough Kookie Foundation to help promote breast cancer awareness and support after the Susan G. Komen Foundation restructured and closed its local and state offices.

The foundation was established to support breast cancer patients in Texarkana and the surrounding counties with a variety of support, ranging from financial to emotional. The Tough Cookie Foundation also raises awareness and raises funds for childhood cancers.

Starting in May, breast cancer survivors and childhood cancer survivors can meet every Tuesday to create paintings that will be displayed during breast cancer awareness month in October.

Family members of childhood cancer survivors can also participate along with parents who have lost a child to cancer.

The painting sessions will be at 4 p.m. every Tuesday through September at 1894 Gallery at 105 Olive Street, Texarkana Arkansas.

Anyone interested in painting can sign up with the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council starting May 1. TRAHC will also be providing the paint for the projects, Levingston said.

“We have had a great reaction to everything. People are excited about it,” she said.

There will also be a “Pink Out” day on Oct.8 for employees of local businesses to wear pink and a “Pink Out” day on Oct.10 for church congregations to wear pink.

A support group for breast cancer patients and survivors meets at 4 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month at the Texarkana, Texas Convention Center. Participants can also meet through Zoom.

Levingston’s journey with breast cancer started in January 2016. During a scheduled annual exam, she mentioned to the nurse she had noticed a lump in her left breast. When the doctor found the lump during the exam, he immediately scheduled a mammogram and biopsy.

After five days of anxious waiting, she was called to visit her doctor and receive the results. She was diagnosed with Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. Levingston underwent a lumpectomy six days after that visit and underwent chemo and radiation at MD Anderson in Houston.

Anyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and needs any type of assistance should visit the Tough Kookie Foundation Facebook Page and send a message. They will then receive a form where they can share what they need with the Foundation.

Sponsors are also needed and can receive more information by calling 903-2937093 or emailing toughkookietx@gmail.com.