For most of her life, Nancie Cheskey called Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home. It was there that she began her career with the United States Postal Service, walking miles each day as a city letter carrier. Her route covered over 500 residences, and on some days, she logged more than ten miles on foot. Though she was proud to serve the community, Nancie quickly realized the physical demands were not sustainable long-term. Determined to grow, she transitioned into administrative roles and began building a career defined by innovation, leadership, and connection.

She became the first small business specialist in the Pittsburgh district—an accomplishment that took her all the way to San Jose, California, for training in selling on eBay using Postal Service shipping solutions. From Beanie Babies to BMWs, Nancie taught countless people how to market and ship products successfully. Over her 25-year career, she held positions in Marketing, Public Relations, and as a Premier Account Manager for major clients including Heinz, Bayer Corporation, and Fisher Scientific, while also championing small business owners.

Life took a joyful turn when she met her soulmate, Burnette “Bunny” Todd, on Match.com. Together, they shared a love for music, dining, dancing, and simply enjoying life. They dreamed of coastal living—a dream they eventually made a reality when they moved to Myrtle Beach. There, they embraced the vibrant community, explored local entertainment, and created a home filled with friendship and connection.

Family has always been central to Nancie’s life. She became a mother at nineteen, raising her son, Mark, alongside her younger siblings. Family gatherings remain a cherished tradition. Mark and his wife, Paula, blessed Nancie with two grandchildren, Casey Jean and Adam, and in recent years, a great-grandson—soon to be joined by a great-granddaughter. Adam and his wife Cate work for Lockheed Martin in Colorado, a fact Nancie proudly shares along with his aerospace engineering “rocket scientist” degree.

In August 2023, a routine mammogram changed everything. The results revealed a malignant tumor—news she received while in the middle of the ocean on a long-planned cruise. “WHAT? I do not have time for breast cancer!” she thought, with travel plans and her grandson’s wedding just ahead. Yet even as she processed the shock, she kept her focus on living life fully. After debarking from the cruise ship, she immediately boarded a flight to Colorado to celebrate Adam’s wedding in the mountains, keeping her diagnosis private until she began treatment.

Back in Myrtle Beach, Nancie started chemotherapy in late October, followed by surgery and radiation. The journey was difficult, but she was never alone. The outpouring of love from her Del Webb neighbors, friends, and family carried her through. She speaks with deep gratitude for the medical team at Coastal Cancer Center—especially Dr. Dejuania Brown—and for surgeon Dr. George Nicholson, whose guidance and expertise provided strength and reassurance.

Nancie credits her faith with giving her resilience and patience through the hardest moments. Today, she wears the title “cancer survivor” with pride, embracing each day with renewed appreciation for life.

Her experience also ignited a passion for advocacy. In April 2025, she was nominated by Kristina Blackburn to attend the Empower and Advocate conference hosted by the Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network in Buena Vista, Florida. Surrounded by survivors and advocates, she gained insight into the critical need for accessible oncology care and the importance of strong community-based treatment centers like Coastal Cancer Center. She now urges all women to begin annual mammograms at age 40—or earlier if at higher risk—and to talk openly with their healthcare providers about screening.

Beyond her advocacy, Nancie continues to pour her energy into the things she loves. Photography has been a lifelong passion, one she once channeled as Official Photographer and Historian for five presidents of The Guild of the Greenville Symphony. Now, she often documents events within her Myrtle Beach community, preserving memories for friends and neighbors. She and Bunny are regulars at the Alabama Theatre, Carolina Opry, Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre, and Legends, and they delight in showing visitors the very best of the Grand Strand.

She also remains active with the Grande Dunes LIFE Group, attending monthly meetings and luncheons that inspire and uplift. The group’s mission of loving, inspiring, forgiving, and encouraging resonates deeply with her own values—values she’s lived out in both her professional career and personal journey.

“Being a survivor means I get to experience life with a renewed sense of joy and appreciation,” Nancie says. “I don’t take a single day for granted.”

From the streets of Pittsburgh to the shores of Myrtle Beach, from serving the public to surviving cancer, Nancie’s story is one of resilience, gratitude, and an unshakable spirit. She has walked miles—both literally and figuratively—meeting each chapter of life with determination, grace, and a smile that says she’s ready for whatever comes next.