2026 Citizen of the Year Award: Rebecca Buchanan

Hello again.

It’s an honor to stand here again and present this year’s Citizen of the Year Award.  Tonight, we come together to celebrate what truly strengthens our community – the everyday people whose compassion, dedication, and selflessness uplift others and inspire us all.

The Citizen of the Year Award is more than a recognition – it’s a tribute to the spirit of service that defines who we are.  This year’s recipient has gone above and beyond to make a difference, through work, leadership, and a non-profit that is making a lasting impact on so many.

This year’s recipient is someone who has made a significant difference to a growing group of women that are now part of the coolest club you never wanted to be a part of. Through her own personal experience, she has not only endured the struggle, she has been a sounding board, a confidant, a mentor, friend, cheerleader, and ray of sunshine in some of the darkest times one can go through.

After graduating from Arcadia Valley High School in 1998, Rebecca Buchanan earned her Associate of Arts Degree from Mineral Area College. She then completed an Associate of Science in Nursing from St. Louis Community College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of South Alabama.

Becky has held many positions throughout her professional career as an ICU nurse, a Post Op manager, and currently a Family Nurse Practitioner.  She has received the Mineral Area College Distinguished Alumni Award as well as St. Francois County Rotary Club awarding her with a Paul Harris Fellow Award.

According to her husband, Andy, she also deserves the recognition for taking St. Francois County’s most eligible bachelor off the market and completed a 7-year plan to marriage in 5.5 years. She is a VERY proud mother of two. A baseball obsessed 14-year-old son and a 9-year-old red headed daughter that rules their universe.

In March of 2020, Becky was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 40. In the middle of Covid. Not only did she have small children at home, she also had to navigate and advocate for herself and her treatment in the middle of a global pandemic.  She endured chemo, radiation, and multiple surgeries, most of which were alone due to the Covid 19 restrictions.  Her journey was not “normal”. It was not easy. There was no guidebook or “how to”.  She had to rely solely on her support, her medical knowledge, and her own judgement to advocate for herself.

Becky’s journey and experience led many to her. One of which is Kim Cofer. About a year after diagnosis, Kim’s daughter Lacee was diagnosed with breast cancer. Becky was right there to battle with Lacee. Together, Becky and Kim decided they needed to help their small-town girls fight.  They put together a raffle basket of goodies hoping to make $500 to use to share information with young breast cancer patients. Little did they know that one basket would have raised over $3000 and lead to the founding of the Pink Penguin Project. Two years later through generous donations and successful fundraising, they have raised over $100,000.00.

Since 2023, the Pink Penguin Project has given 85 bags filled with items that help make chemo, radiation, and surgery just a little bit easier.  I can speak firsthand to the impact those bags have. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 2023. While it was not yet public, that small circle of friends had immediately reached out to Becky and she came running. Bag in hand to a St. Paul Volleyball game where I was refereeing. It was that moment that I realized, I am not alone. I can do this. (And secretly wondering which one of my friends let the cat out of the bag as I was still in the denial stage.)

The impact she continues to have on our community will never be measurable with statistics, or numbers. Not only is she advocating for breast cancer awareness and early detection, but she is also bringing strength to those who are embarking on their own unwanted journey. She is supporting their loved ones. She will answer the phone. She returns the text messages. She shows up. She cheers loud. She is present. A voice for so many. I will forever be grateful for the support and guidance she showed me. As I reflect when all those reminders pop up, I can’t help but wonder how she does it. How does she have the space for all of us? Her family, her work, her friends, and her warriors. Becky, thank you. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for your commitment to fighting this beast. Thank you for being there for me.

It is my honor to present this year’s Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award to Mrs. Rebecca Buchanan.