We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lindsey Lamchick a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lindsey, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Cancer split my life into two parts—before and after. I expected the physical changes, but nothing prepared me for the emotional and mental transformation. Survivorship is a constant duality—gratitude for life mixed with fear, anxiety, and even anger. The hardship doesn’t end when treatment does; it just changes. The wounds eventually turn into scars, each one a reminder of how far I’ve come.
Through this journey, I found my purpose: helping others. Helping those newly diagnosed, those still fighting, and those navigating survivorship. I know firsthand that cancer can feel isolating, but no one should go through it alone. I am here.
Grief and gratitude can coexist, and I’ve chosen to turn my experience into something meaningful. Project Disco Ball was born from this mission—to bring light, joy, and connection to others on this path. Finding out I had cancer ignited something powerful in me, something bigger than myself. It compelled me to share my story, to build meaningful connections, and to spread awareness. I appreciate how far I’ve come, but I also honor and look forward to the continued growth ahead—giving back, lifting others up, and ensuring that no one in this fight feels alone.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My world changed in the blink of an eye. One moment, I was a mom of three, a lawyer, running my own real estate brokerage and title company, balancing a million things on my plate. The next, I was in the fight of my life, diagnosed with breast cancer at 44. It was overwhelming, but along the way, I learned something life-changing: survival is important—but rebuilding your life around joy is where true healing begins.
That’s what Project Disco Ball is all about.
We’re a nonprofit with a simple mission: to bring joy and light to cancer patients during some of their darkest days. It all started when my breast surgeon, Dr. Mautner, connected me to a fellow survivor. She sent me a disco ball in the mail and shared how she brought one to her chemo infusions. She said it brought a little light and joy during a tough time, and I did the same. It made such a difference in my outlook that I knew I had to do more with that idea.
I founded Project Disco Ball with my family—my daughter Ashley, my son Dylan, and my husband Ryan—but it wouldn’t have come to life in such an incredible way without one of my best friends, Nicole. She was the creative force behind our first big project, decorating Miami Cancer Institute with hundreds of disco balls for the holidays. Nicole dedicated countless hours to ensuring every detail was just right. Seeing the smiles on patients’ faces as they walked into festive, joy-filled rooms made everything worth it. It’s those moments of light and connection that remind patients they’re not alone, that there’s a community cheering them on. We are hoping to expand Project Disco Ball throughout Dade and Broward County as well as the New York area, specifically at Memorial Sloan Kettering locations, within the next few years.
What makes this work so special is that it’s about more than decorations or gift bags—it’s about spreading joy and hope. It’s about saying, “I’ve been where you are, and I see you. And there’s light on the other side.” We want to bring light to where it is needed most.
Now, we’re excited to expand beyond the holidays and keep this momentum going throughout the year. Patients need those moments of joy throughout their journeys. And for me, personally, this work has been so healing. I’m still processing everything I’ve experienced since my diagnosis, but giving back through Project Disco Ball has been a profound way of becoming a better version of myself.
This isn’t just about survival anymore. It’s about choosing joy and making sure others feel it too. That’s the heart of Project Disco Ball.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on this past year, the three qualities that were most impactful on my journey are resilience, curiosity, and the ability to connect with others. These were the keys to not only surviving a cancer diagnosis but to starting a nonprofit that has already made a difference in people’s lives.
First, resilience. When you’re hit with a life-changing diagnosis, you quickly realize that survival isn’t just physical—it’s mental and emotional. I’ve always been one of the hardest-working people I know. I’m self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and never afraid to go after what I want, but cancer tested me in ways I never imagined. I had to dig deep, keep showing up for myself, and trust that I had the strength to push through. That same resilience fueled the launch of Project Disco Ball. It wasn’t about waiting for the “right time” or knowing everything before getting started—it was about taking action and making it happen.
Second, curiosity. Both breast cancer and starting a nonprofit were entirely new worlds for me. I knew nothing about survivorship or how to run a nonprofit, but I approached both with a hunger to learn. I sought out people who had walked the path before me. I listened to survivors who shared their experiences, and I reached out to people who had built successful nonprofits for advice. My advice to others? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There’s so much strength in saying, “I don’t know everything, but I’m willing to learn.”
Lastly, connection. There’s no way I could have made it through this year without the support of my community. That includes my family, friends, and the incredible people I’ve met along the way—fellow survivors, nonprofit leaders, and everyone who believed in Project Disco Ball. Human connection is what got me through my weakest days, and it’s what Project Disco Ball is built on. It’s about creating joy and lifting others up, even when life feels overwhelming.
I often say that I felt like I ran through fire to save my own life. But while running through that fire, I realized I could also light up the lives of others. That mindset—that even in the hardest moments, you can still choose to spread light—has been my driving force.
For anyone starting a difficult journey, my advice is simple:
Give yourself grace. It’s going to be hard. There will be setbacks, but don’t let them define you.
Surround yourself with people who’ve been there. Learn from their experiences.
And never underestimate your ability to rebuild your life—not just around survival, but around joy.
If I can do it, so can you.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, I am always open to collaboration with individuals, organizations, and companies that share our vision of spreading light and joy to cancer patients. Whether you’re in the nonprofit sector, the arts, or the business world, if you have a passion for uplifting others, I’d love to hear from you. We’re looking to partner with people who want to bring our mission to new places and create meaningful experiences for patients.
We are actively seeking corporate sponsors to help us expand our reach and make a deeper impact. We’ve already had the privilege of working with some very generous partners, and we’re excited to continue building those relationships. Additionally, we are always looking for volunteers who want to be a part of our efforts and help bring smiles to cancer patients.
Donations are also crucial in helping us fulfill our mission. We aim to raise significant funds to support cancer patients, particularly in areas like cold-capping and onco-fertility, which are critical aspects of treatment and recovery.
Looking ahead, we have big dreams. We’re not only focusing on expanding beyond Miami to areas like Boca and New York, but we are also working towards growing Project Disco Ball to reach more cancer treatment centers across the country. Our mission is just getting started, and we’re excited to make a lasting difference.
If you’re interested in collaborating or supporting Project Disco Ball in any way, please reach out to me through social media or email. Together, we can continue to spread hope and create moments of joy for those who need it most.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.projectdiscoball.org
- Instagram: theprojectdiscoball
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566552696835
