Starla Warren’s cancer journey started in 2015, when an unexpected injury during a martial arts sparring match revealed a lump in her breast. After her diagnosis, her doctors feared that she only had six months to live.
Ten years later, Warren continues to beat all odds. With the support of her family and health care team at Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Breast Care Center, Warren lives to tell her story and encourages others to remember that tomorrow is worth fighting for.
“It’s awesome that I can go to people who are just getting diagnosed and tell them to use me as an example. Don’t just write it off and say, ‘I’m done,’” Warren said. “Understand that there’s a tomorrow, and as long as you have tomorrow, then you have tomorrow to live for.”
Warren and other cancer warriors shared their powerful stories at Texas Tech Health El Paso’s third annual Lighting Campus for Hope, presented by Hunt Companies, on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. The holiday celebration, designed to raise awareness and funds for cancer screenings, brought in 1,000 attendees for an evening of reflection and unity.
Visitors enjoyed cheerful visits with Santa and his friends and a spectacular firework show that lit up the night sky. Food trucks lined the walkways, offering seasonal treats and local favorites. As “snow” gently fell across campus, it served as a beautiful reminder of the hope that brings us together each year.
A transformative investment in cancer care
During the celebration, El Paso Electric and the Electric Company Charitable Foundation announced a combined $500,000 gift to the Building Hope Campaign, supporting the construction of the Fox Cancer Center. In recognition of the gift, Texas Tech Health El Paso is naming the imaging reception area after the company and its charitable foundation.
“Lighting Campus for Hope reflects the strength and compassion of our community,” said El Paso Electric President and CEO Kelly A. Tomblin. “El Paso Electric and the Electric Company Charitable Foundation are honored to contribute to the Fox Cancer Center’s imaging center, helping ensure that life-saving care is available to the families we serve throughout our Borderplex.”
Through this investment, El Paso Electric and the Electric Company Charitable Foundation hope to help reduce the burden on families who currently must travel far for cancer services, strengthening the region’s capacity to fight cancer and improving outcomes for generations to come. The gift is part of the $50 million Building Hope Campaign supporting the cancer center’s construction.
To date, $45 million has been committed by community business leaders, including Steve and Nancy Fox and their family, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, the Hunt Family Foundation, GECU and other community champions.
The Building Hope Campaign offers an opportunity to transform cancer care for families across West Texas. Pledges may be fulfilled over multiple years, allowing donors to make a long-term impact. Every gift of any size has the power to save a life, offer hope and become part of our community’s cancer center forever.
Visit ttuhscepimpact.org/fox-cancer-center to learn more about ways to give and follow the campaign’s progress.
Saving Lives Through Screenings
Funds raised from Lighting Campus for Hope will help provide more than 600 life-saving breast, cervical and colon cancer screenings. Proceeds will also fund follow-up diagnostics, which are often more costly.
These efforts, supported by the Texas Tech Health El Paso Cancer Screening Fund, will directly benefit our Borderplex community by ensuring access to early detection and timely care. They will be delivered through various programs, including:
- Breast Cancer Education, Screening, and Navigation (BEST) Program
- Medical Student Run Clinic’s Breast Cancer Screening Program
- Southwest Coalition for Colorectal Cancer Screening (SuCCeSS) Program
- De Casa en Casa Cervical Cancer Screening Program
“Lighting Campus for Hope is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together with purpose,” said Andrea Tawney, Ph.D., vice president for Institutional Advancement, who has led the campaign. “The support shown at the event directly strengthens our cancer screening programs and brings us one step closer to ensuring every family in our region has access to early detection and high-quality care.”
As we reflect on the success of this event, Texas Tech Health El Paso remains steadfast in its mission to bring hope, healing and health to every corner of our community. Warren’s resilience echoes the mission of this event, proving that when early detection meets hope, tomorrow becomes something worth fighting for. Together, we’ll light the way to a cancer-free future.
For more information on supporting Texas Tech Health El Paso’s cancer initiatives, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.
The post Lighting Campus for Hope brings life-saving resources to El Paso cancer warriors appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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