Miss South Carolina, an Upstate native, talks about leukemia awareness in mother's memory

Posted: Jul 04, 2018 12:31 AM

By Madison Styles

Davia Bunch being crowned Miss South Carolina 2018. (Source: Miss SC pageant)

SPARTANBURG, SC (FOX Carolina) - In January, Davia Bunch was crowned Miss Spartanburg. A native to the area, Davia graduated from Dorman High School and was attending the University of South Carolina.

However, on Saturday night her life changed forever. She was crowned Miss South Carolina 2018.

It's all still new to her, Davia says, "Its incredible. When it comes out I don't even believe it myself."

She says her journey to the crown began in college when she found herself, a lifelong dancer, loving her academics more than dance.

Davia tells us, "I decided to hang the point shoes up and start studying those, but then I was a little bit hungrier I wanted to do more in the community."

That's when she found the Miss South Carolina Organization, and saw it a perfect fit to start her own platform. Ever since then she's been raising awareness for bone marrow registry through Be the Match. She chose this platform for a reason.

"My mom was diagnosed with leukemia when I was really young, and she ultimately lost her battle when I was 15," she said. "So now as a college student, and as Miss South Carolina I get to help save lives of people diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma and blood cancers."

She's worked to pass legislation, trying to get more information on bone marrow donations placed in DMV's, and as Miss South Carolina she'll continue pushing.

"I want to go around to colleges because college students are actually the number one candidates to be bone marrow donors," she said. "The term 'young blood' is true and people who are 18 to 24 have the most healthy blood cells to give people."

Davia will also raise money and awareness for the organizations platform, The Children's Miracle Network.

Looking back on the state competition Davia says she's blessed to be given this opportunity.

"I think they really got to see my heart and my story and my independence," she said. "I've overcome a lot these last couple years and that's definitely made me the person I am today and the person ready for the job."

As she prepares for Miss America, Davia says the experience has left her with life long memories, friends, and now a dream of hers that is finally coming true.

"I've been a full time student, I've worked two jobs, and I paid for much of my Miss South Carolina experience on my own," she said. "So with hard work determination a little bit of faith and some people who believe in you, you can accomplish anything."

If you'd like to cheer Davia on in the Miss America competition, it will take place Sunday, September 9, 2018.

http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/38570036/miss-south-carolina-an-upstate-native-talks-about-leukemia-awareness-in-mothers-memory