Tough Enough to Wear Pink rodeo and dinner benefit university's Johnson Cancer Research Center
Monday, July 7, 2014
MANHATTAN — The Kaw Valley Rodeo Association wants you to be tough enough to wear pink.
The association's eighth annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo, a special night at the Kaw Valley Rodeo, will be Friday, July 25, to raise awareness of breast cancer and other cancers and support Kansas State University's Johnson Cancer Research Center.
In conjunction with the Riley County Fair, the Kaw Valley Rodeo will be at 8 p.m. July 24-26 at Wells Arena in CiCo Park, Manhattan.
"We want rodeo fans to pack the arena with pink Friday night," said Dr. Gene Klingler, a local physician and member of the rodeo association and chair of its "pink committee."
Spectators are encouraged to wear pink, and a pink balloon launch will honor cancer survivors during the grand entry. Pink T-shirts, bandanas and more will be available for purchase, with all proceeds going to the cancer research center.
Nicki, the pink firetruck, will again be on display. The Wichita chapter of Guardians of the Ribbon, a group of firefighters and their friends, drive Nicki to cancer-related events around the state and beyond to help philanthropies raise money for their local cancer-related causes.
"The pink rodeo is a touching and exciting event, and a huge undertaking. We thank the rodeo association, sponsors and volunteers for putting it on, as well as all the spectators who support it," said Rob Denell, director of the center.
A benefit spaghetti dinner is also planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at the First Presbyterian Church, 801 Leavenworth St., Manhattan. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat dinner, which is sponsored by Cox Bros. BBQ, are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children 4 and younger. They are available from the center, 1 Chalmers Hall, 785-532-6705.
Sponsors are still being sought for these events. Sponsors are listed on the center's website and recognized in a variety of other ways. People interested in sponsoring should contact the cancer research center.
The Johnson Cancer Research Center advances cancer research at Kansas State University and helps train future scientists. Its programs are made possible by private donations. More information about the center is at http://www.cancer.k-state.edu.
