{"id":35036,"date":"2025-11-04T17:28:36","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T17:28:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/35036\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T17:28:36","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T17:28:36","slug":"faith-in-god-will-see-former-fort-worth-council-member-through-cancer-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/35036\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Faith in God\u2019 will see former Fort Worth council member through cancer diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Fort Worth City Council member Gyna Bivens said she\u2019s leaning on \u201cstrong faith in God\u201d and support from her community to see her through a battle against cancer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bivens, who long represented east Fort Worth, announced she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in the pancreas in a statement shared to social media in late October. She is undergoing evaluation as an inpatient at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital at UT Southwestern in Dallas.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am facing another health battle. It is certainly not the first I\u2019ve had,\u201d Bivens said Nov. 3. \u201cI have strong faith in God. I\u2019ve seen him work and bring me through several battles deemed impossible in the past, and I\u2019ll be leaning on that place for him to see me through this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bivens knew \u201cvery little\u201d about pancreatic cancer before receiving the diagnosis, she said. Since then, she\u2019s learned that the cancer runs in her family. She\u2019s grateful to be receiving care from UT Southwestern and is \u201clooking forward to positive outcomes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the spirit of transparency she sought to embody as an elected official, Bivens said it was important to share her diagnosis publicly. She wants people to know, \u201cThere are no \u2018get out of hospital free\u2019 cards based on your occupation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYour thoughts, prayers and support mean the world to me during this time,\u201d Bivens wrote in her announcement. \u201cAs more information becomes available, I will be sure to keep you informed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Her diagnosis comes about six months after stepping down from City Council. She was the longest serving council member after holding office for 12 years, or six terms. She represented a sprawling strip of east Fort Worth including the historically Black neighborhood of Stop Six.\u00a0<\/p>\n

During her tenure, Bivens championed economic development<\/a> in Stop Six, advocated for stronger protections for the city\u2019s tree canopy<\/a> and supported affordable housing for senior citizens<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Several of Bivens\u2019 former colleagues on the council, as well as other elected officials across the county, expressed well wishes and offered prayers for her health.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mayor Mattie Parker said in a statement she\u2019s keeping her \u201cdear friend\u201d in her heart and prayers. Parker worked alongside Bivens on City Council for four years.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is a pillar of leadership in our community, and I have no doubt she will face this battle with tenacity, courage and grace,\u201d Parker wrote. \u201cYou have a whole community behind you, believing in your strength and recovery.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tarrant County Judge Tim O\u2019Hare asked social media followers to join him in praying for the former council member.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cGet well soon, Gyna!\u201d O\u2019Hare wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Council member Deborah Peoples, who succeeded Bivens, wrote on social media, \u201cPrayers going up!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Council member Carlos Flores, who served alongside Bivens the longest of the sitting members, urged residents to keep Bivens in their prayers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving served with Gyna for many years, this is particularly heartbreaking to share,\u201d Flores wrote on social media.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Council member Mia Hall, who took office after Bivens stepped down, said Bivens is like family as a longtime friend of her uncle. Through that relationship, Bivens has become a \u201csource of inspiration and guidance,\u201d Hall said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cGyna\u2019s leadership, integrity, and compassion exemplify what it means to serve,\u201d Hall wrote on social media. \u201cMy thoughts and prayers are with her as she faces this challenge, and I have every confidence that she will meet it with the same grace and strength that have defined her life and career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cecilia Lenzen is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at cecilia.lenzen@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n

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