About Us The Heart of Our Mission
A Breast Cancer Awareness Organization Born from Personal Testimony
Joyful Ventures is more than a nonprofit; it is a breast cancer awareness organization rooted in a deeply personal journey of love and resilience. Our story began in 2017, but the inspiration was sparked by the lives of Brianna and Barclay Weikel. In August 2015, Brianna passed away at the age of 33 after her second courageous battle with breast cancer. This loss left her two young children to navigate a world without their mother. Only two years later, the family faced another tragedy when young Barclay passed away after a six-year battle with Non-Ketotic Hyperglycinemia (NKH).
Faced with these “unforeseen diseases,” founders Billy and Briley Weikel chose to turn their grief into action. They established Joyful Ventures as a breast cancer awareness organization to ensure that other families in the community would never have to walk through these trials alone. We believe that while disease has the power to change our lives, it does not have the power to steal our joy.
Our Mission:
Research, Prevention, and Joy
As a dedicated breast cancer awareness organization, our primary mission is to make a positive impact for families by raising awareness and supporting critical research for both Breast Cancer and NKH. We collaborate with like-minded partners to advocate for early detection and disease prevention. Our vision is to facilitate community events that don’t just raise funds, but spread a spirit of hope.
Every event we host is designed to fulfill our goal of bringing joy to those who need it most. Whether we are funding medical research or launching our new scholarship program for children who have lost a parent, this breast cancer awareness organization remains committed to being a light in the darkness. We aim to bring more joy and hope to those in need, standing on the belief that by the word of our testimony, we will triumph.
Meet the Leadership Behind Our Vision
The success of our breast cancer awareness organization is driven by a board of passionate, top-notch individuals who are committed to making a difference:
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Billy Weikel
President
Co-founder dedicated to strengthening families and fostering personal and spiritual growth.
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Kenny Kent
Treasurer
A retired U.S. Marine and Army veteran who has supported the mission since its founding.
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Debbie Kent
Secretary
An 8-year veteran of the board who has been part of every milestone in our organization’s history.
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Brinnen Kent
Board Member
A board member since the beginning who is passionate about community fitness and the success of our annual races.
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Ricky Wilks
Board Member
A former business owner who brings strategic growth and networking expertise to our fundraising efforts.
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Jon Kelso
Board Member
An active lifestyle enthusiast and faithful visionary who has been engaged with Joyful Ventures since its inception.
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Travis Roberts
Board Member
A fitness professional committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and positive life changes within our community.
Join Our Mission in Lubbock
We invite you to partner with Joyful Ventures. Whether you are a business owner joining our weekly networking group, a runner in our May 5K, or a participant in our August Skeet Shoot, your involvement makes our mission possible. As a local breast cancer non profit, we know that our strength lies in our community. Together, we can share our testimonies, fund critical research, and bring more joy to families in need. Disease has changed our lives, but with your help, it will never steal our joy.