Doll maker. Screenwriter. Advocate. Survivor. A few words can capture the force of nature, and that is Maxine Devereaux, but if she had to choose one, it would be Creatrix.
Max, as she prefers to be called, is an avid distributor of magic that radiates through her hands and heart. Countless women have been inspired by her immense talent, work ethic, and selflessness….
So much so that even her third bout with cancer couldn’t keep her from inventing and inspiring from all angles, creating something beautiful from the ground up is her forte, after all, and we’re honored to call her this month’s Surthrivor.
"It took six doctors and nearly two years before I was finally diagnosed. By the time action was taken, it had progressed to Stage 3C.”
Breast cancer wasn’t Max’s first encounter with the C-word. On the contrary, it was her third…and easily the most aggressive case yet. After years of expressing her concerns to medical professionals and being subsequently dismissed, she finally received the devastating diagnosis: Stage 3C Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
"To say I was angry is an understatement. If only they had listened sooner, it could have been caught earlier."
Sadly, Max’s experience isn’t uncommon. Women, especially mature women or women of color, are often misdiagnosed or taken less seriously by medical professionals.
According to research by Oregon Health & Science University, around 20-30% of women with breast cancer have tumors missed by routine mammogram screenings.
But while Max was understandably furious, she didn’t let her anger consume her. Instead, she got louder, bolder, and more determined to take back her narrative.
Now, as a breast cancer advocate, she inspires other women to do the same. Don’t forget to listen to your body and insist on further testing…as it may just save your life.
"[Losing my hair and breasts] made me question who I was and forced me to confront who society had conditioned me to believe I should be."
Before her diagnosis, Max was extremely confident in her looks and persona. However, chemo doesn’t just drain your body, it can impact your identity, too. The loss of her hair and breasts hit her more deeply than she ever could have imagined.
"It wasn’t until I realized that we are not the sum of our body parts that my confidence began to soar once again."
That being said, creating a beautiful piece of art out of something plain or damning has always been Max’s specialty. And she knew that if she could craft a doll from wood or turn impromptu ideas into a screenplay, she could reclaim her confidence in a new-and-improved way.
The result? Max became the first and only person in history to bare her scars on the cover of a magazine after undergoing a double mastectomy. How empowering is that? While nearly half of women report that breast cancer negatively impacted their body image, Max was determined to not become a statistic. And she succeeded, beautifully.
In the aftermath of chemo, Max’s beauty routine transformed. Today, she swears by her brows and lashes for a simple, stunning everyday look that reclaims what chemo tried (and failed!) to take from her.
"The PrimeSkin Beauty Water works wonders on my itchy, dry skin, leaving my face feeling rejuvenated without any sticky residue."
Can you guess the unsung heroes of her glam routine? Prime Prometics, of course! Max adores our PrimeSkin Beauty Water, which hydrates her skin without leaving behind the dreaded sticky residue. Pro tip for other post-chemo warriors…this is something especially important for a sensitive, post-treatment complexion.
"My absolute favorite product has to be the PrimeLash Mascara because it gives me the length and volume I crave daily."
She also loves the PrimeEyes Glide Eyeliner, which, in her words, “is exactly as described, it glides!” But the holy grail of her routine? PrimeLash Mascara, the world’s #1 pro-age mascara that delivers 3x length and volume and lash-healing powers simply perfect for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Photo by: Instagram @galupsg
Max didn’t just survive breast cancer. She transcended it.
She’s authored nine books, designed inspirational cards for breast cancer patients, and even created custom pink running shoes to raise awareness and fund a cure.
And through it all, she continues to write…because, for Max, creativity is survival.
As if that wasn’t enough, Max also co-founded GALUP, a self-empowerment group for women in Singapore, started by her husband’s ex-wife, whom she now calls a “blessing” and a dear friend.
If that’s not the definition of evolved sisterhood, we don’t know what is.
If you’re newly diagnosed or in the throes of breast cancer treatment, Max wants you to hear this:
"You are stronger than you realize, braver than you feel, and more resilient than you ever imagined. You are not your diagnosis. You are still you—full of dreams, love, and purpose. Let those who love you carry you when you can’t carry yourself. This is your time. It’s okay to put yourself first."
From someone who has lived through the unthinkable and emerged even more powerful and confident, this is a reminder that healing isn’t just physical. It’s also emotional, creative, and deeply personal.
How does she continue her healing journey, even after remission? She’s still crafting, blogging, and empowering other women every step of the way. Whether it’s a greeting card or a courageous post, Max is here to remind us that resilience is a beautiful thing, and so are the women who live it out loud.
Want to learn more about Maxine’s projects and share your admiration? Connect with her on Instagram @max_devereaux. Or visit her website: http://maxdevereaux.com.
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