Today we’d like to introduce you to Faustine McDonald. Faustine and their team share their story with us below:
Faustine (aka Tina) McDonald was born and raised in Sylva, NC. She graduated from Smoky Mountain High School and studied Graphic Design at Southwestern Community College. Faustine is an entrepreneur. In 2008, Faustine established herself as a brand owned by founding “Survival Pride,” rebranded as “Survivor’s Journey” in 2019. Survival Pride is also the first locally owned and established clothing brand to come out of Western North Carolina. Her distinctive designs celebrate regional pride, symbols of indigenous heritage, and themes of resilience in the form of lifestyle apparel. Through her brand, She raises awareness about Sickle Cell Anemia and overcoming the challenges of living with a chronic illness. In 2011, Faustine became downtown Sylva, NC’s first African American brick-and-mortar store owner. Despite her battle with Sickle Cell Anemia, Faustine was a formidable athlete at Smoky Mountain High School in basketball and track and field. She continues to pursue her talent and passion through coaching youth. One of her great joys is giving back to her community and investing in its future. As a sickle cell advocate helping people understand sickle cell and how it impacts our everyday life. My parents were told I would be lucky to see 11yrs then it was 16yrs. Well, here I stand tall at 35yrs old with all glory to God and his power. Successful in life and living life to the fullest. Showing the world, you can overcome anything!
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
My road has been anything but smooth but worth the journey; while growing up in a small town, there were many challenges because the medical staff wasn’t always educated on Sickle Cell treatments and procedures. It was amazing, though, because they went out of their way to learn and give my regular doctors and nurses the best care possible. As I grew up, I was the athlete that would always dominate, but my body would crash. My mother helped me develop a plan and training to be a top athlete and work with my sickle cell to get through situations. I’m so thankful for having an amazing mother and community around me growing up that never looked at me differently. I only had one coach that looked at me as less than others because of my sickle cell. She was scared to play me. Nothing in her mind could change that, even though she didn’t think much of that statement. It could have affected me tremendously if I had been easily influenced, but I’m strong in knowing my worth. Over the years, I have died several times, and each time the effect of my sickle cell ravished my body. I recover because I focus on the future and know God has a plan.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known for several things in the community, from being a basketball coach to a business owner. The space I’m stepping into recently with Faith, not Fear, is Motivational Speaking. I have done this actually for years. I am a sickle cell advocate speaker at huge medical conferences and fundraising events. I have been named the Sickle Cell Goddess and will help people have the mindset to overcome obstacles in life, whether it’s health or just a life challenge. It’s how you view the situation. Motivating people to rise above the challenge. Www.sicklecellgoddess.com
Secondly, I have a Christian lifestyle clothing brand called Survivors Journey Clothing. I was the first African American to have a store in downtown Sylva, NC, the first clothing brand out of Western North Carolina. I am spreading the message of a positive outlook through God. Moto is “Survived by grace. Living in the Moment!” Www.survivorsjourneyclothing.com
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Marie Cochran – Affrilchia – Mentors me through the speaking engagements. The legacy of my mother (Victoria Casey-McDonald)
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.sicklecellgoddess.com
- Instagram: @sicklecellgoddesswarrior
- Facebook: Facebook.com/survivorsjourneyclothing
