As a cancer survivor, Lauren Pickhart (McQue) ’16 has discovered the benefits of yoga during her journey toward recovery. With the goal of bringing that awareness to both survivors and those currently going through treatment, Pickhart founded her company, The Cancer Yogi in 2020.
Pickhart, who received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications in addition to minors in Graphic Design and Human Services, publishes yoga-for-cancer information on her website and across various social media platforms in an effort to encourage others and spread the good word about yoga however she can.
“I knew that I wanted to use my cancer experience to benefit others, so launching The Cancer Yogi was an answer to that,” said Pickhart. “The skills in social media marketing and web design that I picked up at Etown and through my internships were essential in launching my business.”
At the age of 14, Pickhart was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Over the next eight years, she endured three brain surgeries, along with radiation, and chemotherapy treatments.
Looking to regain the strength she lost during treatment, Pickhart turned to yoga. Among many additional benefits, she discovered that the practice decreased her pain and increased her quality of sleep.
Last year, Pickhart received the welcome news from doctors that she was being moved to a survivorship program. Now, she is in full pursuit of her yoga teaching certificate and aims to start a non-profit that would bring yoga classes to cancer wards and hospitals. To help realize her dream much sooner, Pickhart entered the Yoga Warrior 2021 competition where Yogis from around the globe share their story to vie for a cash prize of $10,000, as well as the opportunity to be featured in a two-page advertorial in Yoga Journal.
Anyone can offer support of Pickhart by casting a free daily vote. Additional votes per day can be purchased, with proceeds benefiting the Veterans Yoga Project. Public voting for the top 15 ends on Thursday, March 18 at 10 p.m. EST.