GERRY – Professional rodeo has been a long-time supporter of the fight against breast cancer with their nationwide “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign, and the annual Gerry Rodeo has been a part of that effort since their advertising chairman Temple Atwell succumbed to that disease seven years ago.
The rodeo’s support of cancer research got an additional boost this year when the Dave Warren Auto Group joined the campaign with their truck raffle. Combined with the Saturday night donations of rodeo fans, the total raised was over $3000, which was divided equally between Roswell Park Cancer Institute for breast cancer research and Kallie’s Krusade for childhood cancer research.
The Saturday night rodeo performance saw both fans and contestants wearing pink apparel in honor of those whose lives have been cut short by cancer, and they watched in silence as pink balloons were released into the sky in tribute to the memory of their friends and loved ones.
Rodeo chairman Tom Atwell says it is important to keep the problem of all types of cancer before us as science searches for a cure, and he is proud that the rodeo can be a part of that effort.
Plans are underway to again include this fund-raising effort in next summer’s 74th annual rodeo, scheduled for August 1-4. Additional information is available at the rodeo website www.gerryrodeo.org
Photo: Gerry Rodeo chairman Tom Atwell (right) presents a check to Alexandria Hoaglund, Special Events Coordinator at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, from money raised at this year’s rodeo for breast cancer research.
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