Ask two-time breast cancer survivor Cynthia Neiman what got her through the toughest and most trying days battling her disease, and she will say it was her competitive spirit and drive to fight for what she holds dearest in life – her family.

Neiman will be one of hundreds this weekend headed to UCLA’s Drake Stadium to take part in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, a 24-hour event that is the world’s largest peer-to-peer fundraising effort dedicated to saving lives from cancer. 

“Relay for Life is all about bringing community together,” said the Long Beach resident Neiman. “Whether it’s people who are facing new diagnoses or who have overcome their cancer treatment or who are in the middle of a fight, when you can bring people together who have that common passion, it always leads to good things.”

Tennis has always been one of the good things in Neiman’s life. A lifelong tennis player who grew up playing Southern California junior events, she was a walk-on at UCLA during her undergraduate college years. In high school as an exchange student in Sweden, Neiman lived with a family that belonged to a tennis club and had the chance to play junior events with and against former Swedish Fed Cup player and touring pro Nina Bohm. 

“I have lived all over the world and wherever I’ve lived, I’ve always looked to tennis to help me set my social circle,” said Neiman, a current USTA Southern California executive board member. 

Neiman was first diagnosed with cancer back in 2000, but she said fortunately it was caught in the early stages and following surgery and radiation she was able to continue leading a normal and active lifestyle. It was the diagnosis in 2014 that the cancer had returned at a more aggressive rate that Neiman’s life – and tennis career – were jeopardized.

“In 2000 I was able to resume my tennis playing without issue,” said Neiman, a former member of Braemar Country Club in the Valley and current member of Palisades Tennis Club in Newport Beach. “But in 2014 the cancer came back, and the treatment required was much more extensive – chemotherapy, radiation surgery, the whole nine yards.”

She was unable to lift her arm beyond halfway over her head, and the doctors told her she should probably give up thoughts on returning to the tennis court.  In addition, they also told her she should delay starting physical therapy for a few months. “I have never been great at following directions, so I jumped on Google and started my own rehab program three days later,” Neiman said. “I now have about 90 percent mobility on my serve.”

Neiman said the connection to tennis, “really sparked the fire in me to get back to my normal activity. The social aspect of tennis, the mental aspect of tennis, the physical aspect of tennis are all important parts of my life.”

She added: “A big part of Relay for Life is about fighting back. I think this idea of fighting back resonates with me because sports inherently motivates people to use their drive and accomplish things they didn’t think they could. The don’t quit, never-give-up attitude really speaks to me.”

As the Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Neiman said these past few years have been especially hard on children and teens. “Seeing the mental health toll that the pandemic has taken on kids has been difficult,” Neiman said. “It’s a defining moment for a generation. We have noticed that kids who have a community connection through sports, their faith or the arts are faring better. When we go through hard times, finding people around us who have a shared passion makes it easier to get through it.”

USTA Southern California’s Director of Engagement and Industry Relations Nancy Abrams has known good friend Neiman for more than 20 years as the two were past league teammates at Braemar.

“USTA SoCal is pleased to once again support the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life at UCLA,” Abrams said. “Thanks to the dedicated student leaders, along with the UCLA Tennis on Campus team, we look forward to a successful day in Drake Stadium showcasing tennis and helping to advance cancer research.

“Cynthia has always come back on the court as a graceful player, an even better friend,” Abrams said. “She is a tenacious supporter of grassroots tennis in SoCal.”

Neiman said that as people, we are all fighters in this world. “That idea of having a fight and a will to stand up and protect ourselves, our family and our friends is something that makes us inherently human,” she said. “But I think for me, the competitive spirit that I learned through sports and my will to be there for my family is what has kept me going throughout my life.”

Her husband of 30 years Jeff Krause and her adult sons Ben and David know their mom will always keep fighting.

“They know their mom is pretty competitive,” Neiman said. “Anytime I’m told I can’t do something is when that fire in me is ignited. When I was told my tennis days were over, it gave me the chance to prove to myself (and my doctors) exactly what I’m made of.”

Neiman said one of the major messages of Relay for Life is finding your people. “Finding your community and your people is really important in any circumstance, but it is vital when you are going through some adversity. One of my favorite quotes is a burden shared is halved. When the tough times come and you can share it with your community, the hardship is lessened. Relay for Life is a strong community dedicated to lessening the burden of people and families living with cancer.”

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