Meet Tinishia Davidson | From Breast Cancer Warrior to CEO!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tinishia Davidson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tinishia, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Earlier Detection, Inc. (EDI) was birthed while I was going through treatments for breast cancer. I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma at the age of 39. I remember about a month before I found the lump in my right breast, I heard “touch your breast”, as was praying. About a month later, I heard it again, and that’s when I found a lump in my right breast via self breast exam. The next morning I called my doctor who was able to get me on the following day. As my doctor did a breast exam, she felt the lump as well. Being that the lump was so small, we didn’t think that it was anything but my doctor sent me to have a mammogram done anyway. Well, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer 10 days later.

While getting ready for treatments, I remember this burning desire to get the word of breast health awareness out to men and women under the age of 40. I was still in shock that I was so young and having to deal with such a serious disease. I am a mother of 3 teenage daughters, and I wanted to be sure that they were knowledgeable about early detection methods. I wanted to do all that I could for them as well as other young people. I knew that I had to get the message of self breast exams and other early detection methods out to other young men and women, because a self breast exam is what saved me. As I was going through treatment I met other women who were diagnosed at a young age. I knew something had to be done to educate young men and women… and Earlier Detection, Inc. was born!

Earlier Detection, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that focuses on breast health education for men and women starting at age 18. We can no longer afford to wait until the age of 40, we have to start EARLIER. A special part of EDI is our Pink Parachute Fund. The Pink Parachute Fund aids men and women who are currently undergoing breast cancer treatment with a financial stipend.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a certified professional school counselor as well as an educator in Muscogee County School District in Columbus, GA. I earned my B.S. in Infant and Child Development as well as my M.Ed in School Counseling from Fort Valley State University.

When I began my career in education I was coming from being a stay at home mom to my three beautiful daughters. Being back in the work force was definitely an adjustment. Being a first year teacher AND the mom to two kindergartners and a preschooler was no easy feat! However, I enjoyed every minute of it.

Being an educator and a mother has taught me patience. I’ve learned that all children are not the same – even if they are all raised in the same home. God makes each and every person individually with their own unique gifts, and it is a beautiful thing to watch each one blossom in their own way at their own pace.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank my family and close friends for all of their support in every capacity. My children, Kennedi, Kendall, and Kristian Mathis have been some real troopers and I cannot thank them enough. A special thanks to my Midland Middle School family for their unwavering support as I walk out this new chapter in my life. Last but not least, thank you to the Earlier Detection, Inc. board of directors. We’ve got work to do!

Website: www.earlierdetectioninc.com

Instagram: @earlierdetection

Facebook: Earlier Detection Inc.

Image Credits
Photographer: Shannon B. Whittington Makeup Artist : Marchele Kimbrough