Are you Tough Enough To Wear Pink? The Pendleton Round-Up has been for 12 years now, and will once again participate in the national Tough Enough To Wear Pink campaign, an initiative to raise awareness and funds for programs that support breast cancer patients and survivors in the local community.
The Round-Up has designated Thursday, Sept. 14, as Tough Enough To Wear Pink (TETWP) day at the rodeo, and encourages rodeo participants and visitors to wear pink to show their support. This high-profile event not only raises awareness of breast cancer to the thousands of visitors who come to Round-Up, but 100 percent of the proceeds stay in the community.
The 11th anniversary 2016 event raised more than $19,000 for local programs. The 2017 proceeds will be divided between the St. Anthony Cancer Care Clinic and the Kick’n Cancer New Beginnings program. These two organizations help local breast cancer patients from time of diagnosis through recovery from the cancer experience.
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 and gloves, mastectomy swimwear, wigs, financial help and mileage reimbursement for cancer patients.
This year’s event at the Round-Up will feature an arena presentation that will pay tribute to survivors, as well as this year’s theme of “Spur the Cure.” Local cancer survivors will take to the field in a special presentation following the first Indian Relay Race. The Round-Up Court and Happy Canyon princesses will also participate in the special musical presentation.
Round-Up visitors will receive free pink Mardi Gras beads and a pink Wildhorse Resort fan upon entering the grounds Thursday. TETWP volunteers will have booths set up near each gate with plenty of pink gear for sale, as well as raffle tickets for a pair of custom pink ostrich leather boots, donated by Justin Boots.
In addition, Montana Silversmiths has donated a set of custom, one-of-a-kind spurs that will be raffled off to honor the “Spur the Cure” theme. Tickets are $5 each or three for $12, and can be purchased at the Round-Up and Happy Canyon gift shop through Wednesday, and then at the TETWP booths at the Round-Up grounds on Thursday. Pins that showcase the TETWP “Spur the Cure” logo are also available for purchase.
