Showing support for breast cancer
‘Tough’ cowboys and cowgirls show support for breast cancer
What do baby girls and rugged cowboys and cowgirls have in common this July?They’re all proud to wear the color pink.
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Supporters who hope to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness include: back row (l-r) Dr. Michael Van Tuyl, Cancer Center; Charisse Fandrich, community relationship manager of the American Cancer Society; Jerry Doan, chairman of the Mandan Rodeo Committee. Front row (l-r) Ashley Mastel, Miss Rodeo Mandan 2006; Heidi Heitkamp, breast cancer spokesperson; Pete Deichert, Mandan Rodeo Committee and president of Twin City Implement; Shanda Morgan, advertising chair of the Mandan Rodeo Days, Jayce Doan; and Mandan Mayor Ken Lamont. |
For the past four years, Capital Electric Cooperative, Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative and Basin Electric Power Cooperative have collaborated to help sponsor the Mandan Rodeo Days. This year, the theme is “Tough enough to wear pink.” The Mandan Rodeo Committee (MRC) chose the theme, in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness.
As a national sponsor, Wrangler has contributed millions of dollars to breast cancer awareness and research by selling pink shirts and caps. In an effort to tie the national campaign into our local communities, Pete Deichert, member of the MRC and president of Twin City Implement, said the campaign encouraged all contestants to wear pink. The MRC also held fund raisers featuring the “tough enough” campaign.
A pink tractor was raffled off on July 4 during the rodeo. Only 1,000 tickets were sold at Twin City Implement, Clear Channel Radio and the American Cancer Society. The tickets cost $20.
For those who wanted to contribute but did not choose to buy raffle tickets, monetary contributions were also encouraged and accepted.
All money raised stays local and works in conjunction with Relay for Life, says Charisse Fandrich, community relationship manager of the American Cancer Society. Two local breast cancer awareness programs include “Look good, feel better” and “Reach to recover.” The money generated by the local campaign will be tagged for additional breast cancer research and awareness.
Heidi Heitkamp, breast cancer survivor and spokesperson for the campaign, says she’s thrilled to be a part of the effort.
“In our lifetime, one out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s an epidemic,” she says. “When we all pull together and do these kinds of events, we begin to raise awareness and dollars. We’ll wake up one morning and we’ll read in the paper that we have found a cure or a method to prevent breast cancer.”
Mandan Mayor Ken Lamont bought the first tractor raffle ticket. In a brief yet emotional speech, he cited a personal reason as to why raising breast cancer awareness is so important.
“My daughter is currently fighting cancer. It’s been five weeks of chemo and radiation, and I’m just tickled to be here. I’m proud to do this,” he says.
While one goal of the Mandan Rodeo Committee is to raise funds for breast cancer research and awareness, the executive committee and volunteers also hope to restore the rodeo to what it was like in the ‘50s – much like the current Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Deichert says the Mandan rodeo is the oldest rodeo in America at 127 years old -- actually older than Mandan and Morton County, at 125 years.
Jerry Doan, chairman of the MRC, says the rodeo has tremendous history and future potential.
“We want to put Mandan and North Dakota back on the map,” he says.
And if the community can enjoy the rodeo and raise money for a good cause at the same time, they’re off to an awfully good start.