LAS VEGAS, Dec. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A milestone was
reached Monday night at the 12th Annual Wrangler® Tough
Enough to Wear Pink?™ (TETWP) Night at the Wrangler
National Finals Rodeo. The grassroots cowboy campaign has exceeded
the $25 million fundraising mark!
The campaign was created in 2004 by Terry Wheatley, wine industry executive and
matriarch of a professional rodeo cowboy family and Karl Stressman, former director of special
events for Wrangler and now Commissioner of the Professional Rodeo
Cowboys Association (PRCA). The idea was to raise money and
awareness for breast cancer by challenging rodeo competitors and
fans alike to wear pink. Wrangler is the title sponsor of TETWP and
a portion of proceeds from everything sold within the Wrangler
Tough Enough to Wear Pink merchandise collection goes back to the
campaign fund.
Along with the generous support of western businesses such as
Wrangler, Montana Silversmiths, Twisted X Boots and Purple Cowboy
wines, Wrangler TETWP relies on the hard work of regional rodeos
and western events across the country. The strength of the campaign
is funds raised stay locally to benefit community breast cancer
charities. It is the dedication of volunteers on the ground at
local events that drives the campaign.
"Over 300 rodeos and events participate each year, with the
support of Wrangler, the title sponsor of this campaign. Small
donations add up to make a tremendous positive impact for families
facing breast cancer and the entire community," commented
Wheatley.
A notable example of the grassroots efforts is the Cattlemen's
Days Rodeo in Gunnison, Colo. A
long-time Top Five Wrangler TETWP fundraiser, the Gunnison western community has raised close to
$2 million over the years to support
the fight against breast cancer in their hometown.
Among their goals is to make Gunnison Valley Health the number
one rural hospital for breast cancer care in the U.S. by providing
funds for services, medical equipment and support. Money raised by
the campaign also financed the purchase of a patient transportation
vehicle. The 2016 Ram 1500 truck, custom-wrapped in the Wrangler
TETWP logo, is designated to safely transport Gunnison breast cancer patients requiring
advanced treatment to medical centers outside the small community,
such as in Denver. These journeys
can take up to 200 miles one-way over winding country roads and
narrow mountain passes.
Lacey Wheatley, Terry Wheatley's daughter-in-law, is the
Director of Wrangler TETWP and coordinates with rodeos and other
non-rodeo organizations to create the pink-themed fundraisers. Her
daughter Katie supports the social media outreach for the
campaign.
Hats Off to the Top Five Wrangler TETWP Fundraisers in
2016
- C4CR/NMSU Aggies TETWP-Las Cruces,
N.M.
- Cattlemen's Days Rodeo-Gunnison,
Colo.
- Wrangler TETWP of Montana-Missoula
- Crosby Fair and Rodeo-Crosby,
Texas
- Rancheros Visitadores-Solvang,
Calif.
About Wrangler® Tough Enough To Wear Pink? ™
Wrangler®
TETWP™ was created by entrepreneur and breast cancer survivor
Terry Wheatley along with
Karl Stressman to bring the sport of
professional rodeo and the western community together to rally
against breast cancer. Since its inception in 2004, Wrangler
TETWP has empowered rodeos in the U.S. and Canada to focus attention on the need for a
cure. To date, the campaign has raised $25 million for breast cancer charities, most of
which stays right in the local communities. The grassroots movement
has inspired other sports communities to mount their own Wrangler
TETWP campaigns, spreading a message of hope and support that
reaches beyond the rodeo arena to competitors, families and fans
across America. For more information on how to help, visit
www.toughenoughtowearpink.com.
About
Wrangler®
Wrangler® is
proud to be the title sponsor of Wrangler® Tough Enough to Wear
Pink™ and is available nationwide in specialty stores, including
work apparel chains, farm & fleet, and western stores, as well
as through online and catalog retailers, and
www.wrangler.com. To find a retailer or for more information
on the Wrangler® family of products, visit
www.wrangler.com or call 888-784-8571.
Contact: Terry Wheatley
209-483-4768
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SOURCE Tough Enough to Wear Pink