Keisha and Levon Kirkland Fund

The Kirkland Family

Phenomenal, brilliant, and driven are just a few words that characterize Dr. Keisha Kirkland. A woman of incredible poise and determination, Keisha Kirkland is the epitome of courage, strength, and the healing power of faith. Her radiant personality and warm spirit are evident in her smile and genuine love for people. A caring individual with a compassionate heart she contributes her time and talents to such organizations across the country as Uniting Against Lung Cancer, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Off the Field Players Wives Association. Endowed with a tremendous testimony and unwavering resolve, she is an extraordinary woman with an extraordinary mission. Together with her husband, former All-Pro linebacker Levon Kirkland, she is spreading a message of hope, faith, and perseverance and tackling lung cancer one day at a time.

A renaissance woman with a résumé of accomplishments and accolades, Keisha’s achievements encompass everything from academics and athletics to modeling and medicine. A native of Danville, KY, Keisha attended the University of Louisville and then went on to complete her Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life University. Today Keisha works as a Weather Anchor for WYFF Channel 4 - NBC Affiliate in Greenville, SC. Her devoted spouse, Levon, is the wind beneath her wings. An 11-year veteran of the NFL, Levon played nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and single seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles, respectively, before retiring in 2002. Known for his great speed and agility, Levon’s strong play and tough defense earned him recognition as one of the top inside linebackers in the league.

No stranger to life-threatening illnesses, Keisha discovered she had a Pituitary Macro adenoma during her senior year of chiropractic school. After several brain surgeries, temporary paralysis, and a painstaking recovery, Keisha beat the diagnosis. As if four brain surgeries were not enough, Keisha was confronted with an entirely new challenge when doctors noticed a mass in her right lung during a scan of her heart. Keisha, a healthy non smoker, was diagnosed with stage 3A non-small cell lung cancer in 2008, she endured surgery and months of radiation and chemotherapy. Keisha is a survivor committed to helping others win the fight against lung cancer. Although Keisha's lung cancer returned in Feb. 2010, she is still fighting to make a difference and is determined to help find a cure.

Launched in 2009, Tackling Lung Cancer: The Keisha and Levon Kirkland Fund aims to raise awareness and funds for lung cancer research, treatment and a cure. The Fund strives to create early detection and screening programs as well as support prevention initiatives. Tackling Lung Cancer’s principles are built on the belief that if you find lung cancer early, there is hope and you can fight it. Tackling Lung Cancer: The Keisha and Levon Kirkland Fund is an organization dedicated to the champions who valiantly crusade against lung cancer.