After surviving cancer, Ngozi Onwuchekwa found strength in an unexpected place—beauty pageantry. Turning her scars into symbols of resilience, she now inspires others by redefining beauty standards and advocating for cancer awareness. Through her journey, Ngozi proves that confidence and courage can shine brighter than any crown, empowering others to embrace their unique stories and challenges. SONIA OKERE writes
Who is Ngozi Onwuchekwa?
She wears many hats: fashion model, beauty queen, entrepreneur, and certified marketing expert. As an entrepreneur, Ngozi founded Axis Digital Marketing, a company dedicated to delivering innovative marketing solutions and empowering businesses to tell their stories effectively. Through her multifaceted career, she exemplifies the power of perseverance, inspiring countless others with her passion and belief in turning obstacles into opportunities.
Surviving cancer
In 2020, Ngozi’s life took an unexpected turn. Despite feeling very healthy, she was diagnosed with stage 3 rhabdomyosarcoma. This aggressive soft-tissue cancer threatened not only her health but also her future ambitions.
According to medical experts, rhabdomyosarcoma is particularly difficult to treat due to its rarity and rapid progression. Over the months that followed, she endured severe physical and emotional challenges, including debilitating chemotherapy, loss of appetite, and the isolating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While sharing her story on the New Mind Podcast, Ngozi said, “It was a total shock. I’d always considered myself relatively healthy; so, the diagnosis felt like it came out of nowhere. The journey that followed was grueling. I experienced severe bleeding, lost my sense of taste and appetite, and faced so many other challenges. The physical toll of chemotherapy was immense, and the isolation caused by COVID-19 restrictions only deepened the struggle. Looking back, I now see just how much my mental and emotional health suffered during that time.”
Fashion and beauty pageantry
The cancer experience was a turning point for Ngozi. Although she had already made a name for herself as a fashion influencer on Instagram before her diagnosis, surviving cancer gave her work a whole new level of meaning. Instead of simply sharing fashion tips and trends, she began using her platform to offer encouragement, spread awareness about cancer. She also proves that beauty and strength can shine through even the toughest challenges.
In 2023, while in remission, she represented the United Kingdom at the Mrs. Universe Pageant. She was a finalist and won the Mrs. Universe Exceptional Lady title.
“In all honesty, I didn’t expect to win anything. Being well enough to take part was enough of a prize for me, so getting the Mrs Universe Exceptional Lady title and becoming fourth runner up for Mrs Universe was pure joy.
“Going from a hospital bed to a world stage in 24 months and competing with over 70 women from all over the world is mind blowing, even to me.”
Winning the crown gave her a global platform to raise awareness about sarcoma. Since then, she has become a tireless advocate. Her advocacy extends beyond awareness, as she actively fundraises to support cancer patients and underprivileged communities.
Ngozi’s journey is a true reflection of the incredible strength of the human spirit. From her work in fashion to her entrepreneurial ventures and her advocacy for sarcoma awareness, she has become a symbol of hope and purpose.
In her own words, “Whatever you’re going through, however dark or traumatic, always believe that there’s light at the end of the tunnel, even if some tunnels happen to be longer than others.”
