Turning Loss into Purpose: Margaret Livermore’s 23-Year Leiomyosarcoma Journey

By Margaret Livermore

8/18/26

“Surviving leiomyosarcoma isn’t just about living longer—it’s about finding a way to live forward.”

Margaret Livermore is a 23-year leiomyosarcoma (LMS) thriver who has turned her losses into strength, creating a meaningful and purposeful new life along the way.

Initially diagnosed in 2003 following a myomectomy in 2002, Margaret experienced 15 years of cancer-free survival before being diagnosed with her first recurrence in 2018. Between 2018 and 2023, she faced four recurrences, undergoing multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy. Her most recent surgery was in 2023 resulted in clear margins and her longest NED run since 2018. Read full details about Margaret’s leiomyosarcoma history in her original Thriver story HERE.

Throughout her treatment journey, Margaret endured profound personal losses. She grieved the passing of her father and two siblings, while also facing the painful distance of close friends who pulled away during her illness. Cognitive side effects from treatment led to the loss of her career as a technical writer, and she navigated significant emotional challenges, including deep periods of depression.

Despite these hurdles, Margaret chose to transform her hardship into purpose. She became a certified mentor with the Cleveland Clinic’s Fourth Angel Mentoring Network. Navigating medication sensitivity, she found solace and coping tools through traditional therapy, and art therapy which includes jewelry making and photography. Through her dedicated advocacy work, she has also built a new, deeply supportive network around her, volunteering across several cancer organizations.

Margaret credits her 5-year-old granddaughter as her central inspiration for staying strong. Over time, her perspective on life shifted dramatically—she no longer worries about the small things and has discovered an emotional resilience she never knew she had. Margaret believes, “You have to grieve your old life and let it go. Then, create a new life.”

Driven by this vision, Margaret established the Fight Like a Lioness support group in 2023, followed by the Fight Like a Lioness Foundation in 2025 to support Black women diagnosed with sarcoma cancer. Recognizing that Black women are frequently underrepresented in sarcoma patient communities—and often diagnosed at later stages due to fibroid symptoms being dismissed—Margaret created a dedicated space for community and connection. Her group meets via Zoom, and she actively extends support to patients with other cancer diagnoses referred by friends and loved ones.

Margaret’s story is a vital reminder that surviving leiomyosarcoma isn’t just about living longer—it’s about finding a way to live forward. While cancer reshaped her life, it also revealed remarkable strength and purpose. Today, through mentoring and advocacy, Margaret demonstrates that even after devastating loss, vibrant new beginnings are possible.

Her message to anyone facing a leiomyosarcoma diagnosis is clear: grieve what you’ve lost, but do not let it define your future. After more than two decades, Margaret’s life stands as living proof that there can be purpose, joy, community, and hope beyond cancer.

Do you have an leiomyosarcoma long term thriver story? Contact us at info@LMSDR.org