More than $19,000 was distributed between two local cancer support organizations from the Pendleton Round-Up’s 2016 Tough Enough To Wear Pink (TETWP) campaign during a presentation May 11 at the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds.
The Round-Up Association’s TETWP allocated $19,005 in 2016 funds between the St. Anthony Hospital Cancer Care Clinic and the Kickin’ Cancer New Beginnings program. Contributions came from sponsorships, TETWP merchandise sales, TETWP Let’er Buck Run proceeds, donations from spectators and volunteers, custom pink TETWP Justin Boots and custom Montana Silver TETWP buckle raffle ticket sales, pink Wrangler shirt sales, collector’s pin sales, tips donated by Let ’er Buck Room volunteers on TETWP day during Round-Up, and a donation from the Happy Canyon Company.
“The funds we receive each year helps to keep the Spirit program alive and healthy,” said Herb Bitting of the Kickin’ Cancer New Beginnings (Spirit) program, who is also a cancer survivor. “The breast cancer survivors can continue to receive therapy and support, and we’re able to keep this program alive.”
This high-profile event not only raises breast cancer awareness to the thousands of visitors who come to Round-Up, but 100 percent of the proceeds stay within the Pendleton community. The two organizations benefiting from the TETWP campaign help local breast cancer patients from time of diagnosis through recovery.
The Kick’n Cancer program provides free massage, personal training and Pilates classes for recovering patients, while the St. Anthony Cancer Care Clinic provides breast prosthetics, mastectomy bras, post-op camisoles, lymphedema sleeves, pads & gloves, mastectomy swimwear, wigs, financial help and mileage reimbursement for cancer patients.
“The support for Tough Enough To Wear Pink continues to grow each year,” said Casey White-Zollman, co-chair of the Round-Up’s TETWP campaign. “We are so appreciative of the community’s generosity towards this important program to support local cancer patients and survivors, as well as the tremendous amount of time and effort our volunteers put in to make the event a success. It’s always heartwarming to see the sea of pink on Thursday of Round-Up each year.”
The Round-Up’s TETWP campaign appreciates the support of its generous 2016 sponsors:
Gold Level: St. Anthony Hospital, Wildhorse Resort & Casino
Silver Level: East Oregonian, 103.5 KWHT
Bronze Level: Justin Boots, Cayuse Technologies, Columbia Bank, Graybeal Distributing, Grocery Outlet –Pendleton, Swire Coca-Cola, Hermiston Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Dr. Robert Pratt, DMD
Pink Level: Altrusa International of Pendleton, Montana Silversmiths, Wheatland Insurance, Zollman Construction
The Pendleton Round-Up Association’s TETWP campaign will celebrate its 12th year in 2017. Anyone interested in serving as a 2017 TETWP sponsor can contact event co-chairs Casey White-Zollman, cmwzollman@gmail.com, or Jill Gregg, jill.c.gregg@gmail.com.
