Remarkable Women:Part 3 — Cynthia Malone

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — As we continue to highlight remarkable women from middle Georgia, we shed a spotlight on a Houston County native who, for nearly eight years, has taken the reigns on her late husband’s passion project and truly shown a heart for her community.

Cynthia Malone was born and raised in Houston County to her mother, a third-grade teacher, and her father, who worked on Robins Air Force Base. She graduated from Northside High School, and eventually would become involved with Warner Robins High School, as her husband of 30 years, Chip Malone, worked there as a coach.

Her husband was later diagnosed with heart disease, underwent a heart transplant and started up the organization “Chip’n Away at Heart Disease.” After he passed away in 2015, Cynthia took over and continued on the legacy established by the organization.

Under her leadership, the organization has grown dramatically in its outreach to the community, hosting several awareness events each year and giving presentations to local groups on heart disease, along with its risk factors and prevention.

It’s a topic not to be taken lightly, according to Cynthia.

“The organization is raising awareness about the number one killer in America. The unfortunate truth of the matter is [heart disease] is the number one killer in America and the statistics support our advocacy,” Cynthia said.

A tall order for the organization, but Cynthia is secure in her leadership ability, and the collaboration over the years in bringing awareness to the community.

“I tell the board all the time that we’re not just a drop in the bucket, but we are part of an ocean. And the direction that we’re moving in is forward,” Cynthia said.

Attaining that impact required a move for Cynthia from a supportive role to leadership.

“I was happy to be the mother of two daughters and the wife and cheerleader of a coach; I was happy to do that. Some people, depending on who they are may have an issue with that because it sounds like I’m not in a position of power. But I understand the definition of being in that particular position, and I was very secure in that. I am equally secure now, standing before audiences and giving statistics, telling our story and growing our non-profit organization,” Cynthia said.

Over the years, collaboration with hospitals and local organizations laid a solid foundation in Chip’n Away’s outreach. This, combined with Cynthia’s knack for storytelling, helps to ensure the community does not become part of a statistic.

“My experience has qualified me. I spend countless hours studying and I spend many hours speaking with medical professionals in whom I rely, because they are the ones who took the tests and passed the tests. They are the ones who see it every day. They are the ones who I know will tell me how to structure my outreach so that it makes an impact,” Cynthia said.

A solid foundation of experience, careful planning, and delegation for their multiple events ensures that outreach continues with the organization, and that they become the go-to group for sharing their message of self-awareness, finding courage to seek help if something is wrong and identifying means of preventing heart disease — a privilege for Cynthia.

A winner’s mindset from Cynthia helps propel the organization forward as well, a common thread shared between her and her husband. When challenges arise, she is thinking ahead, figuring out how to overcome and staying optimistic.

“Winners are always looking for the next opportunity for a win … we can be in that moment, but when we are in that moment, as winners, our mentality is looking for the next opportunity to win,” Cynthia said. “We know that’s what legacies are built on.”

She added later the magnitude of staying in the game.

“We know this is important. Somewhere out there, someone is listening and being impacted. I don’t need to show out, I just look for the opportunity to be heard,” Cynthia said.

Perseverance, working around setbacks, and learning tips from mentors and coaches shapes Cynthia’s confident leadership style.

“I know who I am, I know I am passionate about what I do, and I’m confident about raising awareness, helping others and growing as a leader,” Cynthia said, adding later. “It’s important also for me to know how to learn, to listen and to learn.”

All this comes together as Cynthia shows her heart to the community, and shares the driving force behind the organization’s outreach.

“I know the devastation of losing a loved one to cardiovascular disease, which has 80% of risk factors that are modifiable: That’s why. I understand that, and I, like my husband, don’t want anyone else to go through what we did. That was the fuel that drove my husband, his passion was the fuel that helped him to go out and spread the word, because of his experience. Love is a powerful emotion.”

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