A double breast cancer survivor from Hamilton is gearing up to compete at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, Germany in September.

The Games offer a recovery pathway for international wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.

In 2009, New Zealand Army Nursing Officer Major Buffy Little was 27 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Following a biopsy and lumpectomy she required a mastectomy and reconstruction.

“After that I didn’t need any follow-up treatment. I had the minimal amount of time off work and continued life as though it was not a big deal.”

But while on a deployment to Iraq in 2016, Major Little found another lump. She put it down to a knot in a strained muscle, but when it didn’t clear up she was referred to her surgeon when back in New Zealand. 

A biopsy showed the cancer was back, and after more surgery she was referred to oncology for radiotherapy.

“My surgeon believes that my second diagnosis was related to my first and that it was likely some cancer cells that got left behind after my mastectomy. Again, I told minimal people and just carried on with life as normal as possible,” she said.

When her wife, also in the military, was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years later, Major Little realised that she hadn’t really dealt with her cancer journey and needed to do a lot of work both mentally and physically to “get back to being me”.

As well as being a co-captain of the New Zealand Invictus Games team alongside Manawatū man Bob Pearce, Major Little will compete in cycling and wheelchair basketball events.

She says that sport has always been a massive part of her life and she’d found it very therapeutic in the past.

“I think sport is an easy tool to help with recovery for people that have always enjoyed sport, and it allows you to feel that you can still do things physically even when you think you can’t anymore due to illness or injury.”

She said the benefits of the Invictus Games for the injured, wounded or ill community were immense.

“Physical activity is a massive part of being in the military and it connects like-minded individuals who are on their own different journey, but able to support each other and grow in a safe, supported environment.”

The sixth Invictus Games will take place in Düsseldorf from 9 to 16 September and will welcome around 500 competitors from more than 20 nations, to compete in 10 sporting disciplines. 

The New Zealand Defence Force is proud to represent New Zealand at the Games and is sending a contingent of 22 to compete.

The New Zealand Team is sponsored by Fulton Hogan, Dynasty Sport, The Ranfurly Veterans’ Trust, Sudima Hotels, and is supported by Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand.

Major Little is co-captain of the NZDF Invictus Games team with Bob Pearce.