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Kiwi Invictus stars Buffy and Alana’s breast cancer journeys

Inspirational Christchurch couple Buffy and Alana are going for gold
Buffy and Alana in their New Zealand Invictus Games shirts
Alana (left) and Buffy will be cheering each other on at the sporting spectacular.
Photos: Bernadette Peters

When married couple Buffy Little and Alana Blackman represent New Zealand together at the Invictus Games, it will be a reminder of how far they have come in their ongoing journey as cancer survivors.

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The pair, who serve in the New Zealand Army, have successfully defeated breast cancer three times between them and hope their stories will inspire others facing a similar fight.

“Winning selection for the 2020 Invictus Games gave me the confidence to be able to share my story,” says nursing officer Buffy, 42, explaining how life-changing the Games have been.  

Listening to other competitors’ stories at the Games, it dawned on her she was at risk of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Invictus showed me I hadn’t dealt well enough on the mental health side through my breast cancer journey and the critical incidents I’ve faced in my job. It highlighted a lot of work I had to do, so I started therapy sessions and look after myself more.”

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It was around 15 years ago that Buffy first discovered a lump in her breast at just 27 years old. Convincing herself she could feel something similar on the other side, she delayed going to the doctor.

“I should not have ignored it,” she reflects. “The lump grew before I eventually saw a doctor. To others, I would say don’t wait as long.”

Buffy cycling at the Invictus Games

Choosing to tell few people about her diagnosis, she took minimal time off work and tried to continue life as normal, as she underwent a lumpectomy, mastectomy and reconstruction.

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Three years later, in 2014, she met Alana through an army football team. But the pair laugh it was hardly love at first sight.

“We had an argument midway through one of the games,” recalls Alana, 40, who is a movement operator in the Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Regiment. “I can’t remember what it was about, but it was a bit weird because we were on the same team and the ref had to tell us to calm down.”

Army life initially took them in different directions. However, 18 months later, they were both living in Christchurch and bonded over their passion for football and the great outdoors. They eventually fell in love.

 “We complement each other in many ways,” says Alana, 40. “Where Buffy is quite reserved and stoic, I wear my emotions on my sleeve.”

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In 2016, however, their world turned upside down after a biopsy showed Buffy’s cancer was back.

While she once again adopted the same stoic attitude to her first diagnosis, this time she had Alana by her side.

“She was amazing,” shares Buffy. “We had really good communication and that was important.”

In 2017, with Buffy cancer-free again, they married and it seemed like the breast cancer battles were finally behind them.

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But in 2019, Alana was devastated to discover a lump on her breast. While initially numb with shock, Alana says Buffy was a  phenomenal support.

Buffy and the NZ Team at the Invictus Games with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Buffy met Prince Harry and Meghan at the 2023 event.

“Because Buffy was a health professional and a breast cancer survivor, she was able to effectively explain to my family what would happen through surgery and radiation,” tells Alana. She underwent three years of intermittent chemotherapy after the cancer spread to her liver. “Buffy was my rock.”

Struggling with years of treatment, blogging about her experiences proved therapeutic for Alana – and unexpectedly for Buffy too.

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“I kept my cancer experience really closed, whereas Alana put it out for the world to see,” says Buffy. “I learned a lot from this approach.”

Now the pair are fighting fit and excited to be athletes at this year’s Invictus Games. They’re set to compete in snowboarding, indoor rowing and wheelchair basketball.

It will be Buffy’s second time, after competing as the co-captain of New Zealand’s team in 2023 in Germany. She was also selected for the 2020 Games, which were cancelled due to Covid.

“Everyone talks about the Invictus spirit and it truly blows your mind,” smiles Buffy.

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She also recalls having a conversation with Prince Harry, 40, who regularly interacts with the competitors.

“We talked about energy drinks and the side-effects of having too many,” she says. Then she chuckles and adds, “[Wife] Meghan Markle looked at us like, ‘What on earth are you two talking about?’”

While Alana supported Buffy from the stands last time, this will be her debut as an athlete.

“I watched how rewarding competing at Invictus was for Buffy. To be able to join that Invictus whānau will be really special.”

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