Source: Rob Denell, 785-532-6705, rdenell@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Marcia Locke, 785-532-6705, marcia@k-state.edu
Friday, July 13, 2007
KAW VALLEY RODEO TO SUPPORT K-STATE CANCER RESEARCH
MANHATTAN -- Cowboys are tough enough to wear pink. Are you? The Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research at Kansas State University hopes so.
It may not be a color associated with rodeos or K-State, but cowboys and cowgirls competing in the 2007 Kaw Valley PRCA Rodeo plan to wear pink at the rodeo, Friday, July 27, to raise awareness of breast cancer. And pink-clad spectators can be winners, too.
"This is going to be a spectacular event," said Dr. Gene Klingler, who is a Kaw Valley Rodeo Association volunteer and a longtime supporter of the cancer center. "Not only will fans be entertained by a great rodeo, they'll also get to unite and fill the arena with a sea of pink to honor breast cancer survivors and to support K-State cancer research."
Part of that night's ticket revenue will be donated to the cancer center.
"The Johnson Cancer Center is honored to be the beneficiary of 'Tough Enough to Wear Pink,'" said Rob Denell, university distinguished professor of biology and center director. "We commend the rodeo association for dedicating one of its evenings to such a worthy cause."
The Kaw Valley Rodeo will be 8 p.m. July 26-28 at Wells Arena in CiCo Park, Manhattan, as part of the Riley County Fair. Adult ticket prices range from $6 to $10. Call 785-539-1463 for more information.
The night will start with a pink balloon launch at 8 p.m. Pink items, including T-shirts and bandanas, will be available for purchase. Attendees wearing pink will be eligible to win a pink iPod and other prizes.
"The fight against breast and other cancers starts with basic cancer research, the fundamental work that is done before treatments can be discovered and applied to people with cancer," Denell said. "Our center is devoted to taking a leading role in conquering cancer in our time, and this event will do much to help us in that pursuit."
More information on the center's work is available at http://www.k-state.edu/cancer.center