LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Levelland Mayor Breann Buxkemper is sharing her breast cancer journey to help raise money for the Inside Out Foundation, an organization that supports traumatic event survivors across 72 counties in the region.
She’s the designated survivor this year to share her story of strength at the West Texas Shootout on August 8.
Buxkemper, a wife, mother of two, full-time credit union employee and mayor, went in for her very first mammogram two years ago. That resulted in her needing a diagnostic mammogram at Joe Arrington Cancer Center, which came out clear.
“So kind of the exact same thing this year. I failed the regular mammogram, went to have the diagnostic mammogram at Joe Arrington’s,” Buxkemper said. “The lady comes in this time and says, oh, radiologist is looking at this. They think they see some small things and they may want to do a biopsy. So, you know, she leaves the room and you get a little emotional. You can’t help it.”
Buxkemper had a biopsy and then attended the homecoming bonfire that same night. She said she remembered the moment she received her results.
“I remember how hard my heart was pounding in my chest when it said results on my phone,” she said.
A lumpectomy revealed cancer in one breast, described as the size of grains of salt.
“It was not super aggressive and as bad as other people’s. Regardless, it was cancer, but it wasn’t what other people have because I was young and having yearly mammograms and getting it checked. That’s why, not because I did anything special,” Buxkemper said.
Doctors did not find cancer in the other breast at that time, but Buxkemper said she chose not to wait.
“So then my options were, you can sit and watch it. We think you’ll be okay. And I said, I’m not watching anything. I’m not that kind of a girl. Let’s go get it if there’s something there,” she said.
Two weeks later, she had a bilateral double mastectomy.
Buxkemper began sharing her story to encourage other women to take control of their health and has offered to connect them with resources for free mammograms.
“Message me, call me, find me at Walmart and tell me. And I’m pretty competitive and I’m pretty fired up about this and I think I can try to help you. I don’t know how, but I’ll call people and I’ll find a place,” she said.
Buxkemper received a mastectomy kit from the Inside Out Foundation during her recovery.
West Texas Shootout fundraiser set for Aug. 8
The Inside Out Foundation hosts the West Texas Shootout annually to fund its mission of supporting traumatic event survivors. This year’s event is Saturday, Aug. 8, at Hub City Clays in the back of the Lubbock Shooting Complex. There are still a few spots left to compete.
“All of the funds that are raised at the Inside Out Foundation’s West Texas Shootout are directly utilized to purchase mastectomy bras, prosthetic breast forms, wigs, turbans, burn survivor bag items, mastectomy survivor bag items, much more. Even small things like eyelashes for clients who lose all their hair. All of the money raised on August 8th goes directly to this mission,” Executive Director Alexis Arnold said.
The event will include a silent and live auction. Family Power Sports is giving away a UTV valued at nearly $32,000. Attendees don’t have to be competitive shooters, but they must be present to win.
Traumatic event survivors are featured throughout the event and help volunteer.
“At this event, we have out and they have survivor shirts on designating them as survivors. So, you see the faces of our clients, you see who they are, you see how they’re there supporting the cause and it’s beautiful because they are paying it forward just like they got it themselves when they needed it,” Arnold said.
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