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Wear pink at Stampede for breast cancer awareness

On June 29 during the Ponoka Stampede spectators will see more than cowboys and horses, they will see a whole arena of support. The Ponoka Stampede Association has declared June 29 Wranglers Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day to enhance breast cancer awareness and everyone that comes out is encouraged to wear pink.

On June 29 during the Ponoka Stampede spectators will see more than cowboys and horses, they will see a whole arena of support.

The Ponoka Stampede Association has declared June 29 Wranglers Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day to enhance breast cancer awareness and everyone that comes out is encouraged to wear pink.

This will be the third year for TETWP and over the past two years the event has raised over $50,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

All the money raised stays within the prairie region and goes towards reasearch and community grants.

Debby Grant, public health nurse for the David Thompson Health Region believes that the event has been so successful because of the passion that is behind the support.

“Everybody knows of somebody that has been touched by breast cancer or have had it themselves,” said Grant. “People feel passionate because it’s something that has truly affected them in one way or another.”

There will also be two booths set up at the stampede, one in front of the grandstand and one infield. They will be selling items such as bracelets and will also have educational information available for people to read. There will be nurses from the breast health project at the booth to provide education and awareness such as teaching about breast health and the signs of early detection.

“The awareness is so important,” said Grant. “If just even one more person becomes aware of their breast health it would make a difference. It just might encourage women to be more diligent with their health and shows them how to access information and be more aware.”

An angel quilt that was donated by a group in Olds will also be on display at the booth. The quilt has an angel pattern that people have signed in memory of loved ones who have lost their battle with breast cancer.

“It’s a healing time for people and they have the opportunity to tell their stories,” said Grant.

The dominant display of pink around and on the Stampede grounds will give visual attention to the massive support people with this cancer are receiving. Grant believes that it is a chance to see first hand the attention and care felt towards breast cancer.

“Breast cancer is certainly a family disease, it involves the men in the woman’s life as well,” she said. “This is an avenue to show the support women have from the men in their life.”

During the Stampede a 50/50 draw will be taken for both performances that day by the Ponoka Cadet Club and will be donating their share to the cause. The Stampede will also be donating a share of their 50/50 draw.

Grant believes that the increasing breast cancer awareness may play a significant role in reducing the number of women who lose their battle with breast cancer.

“An important factor is since 1990 the death rate from breast cancer have decreased,” she said. “It’s encouraging to see a change whether or not heightened awareness is a factor.”

Help support the cause on June 29 by being tough enough to wear pink and show your encouragement to those who have been touched by breast cancer.