Tenth annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo, dinner support Kansas State University cancer research
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
MANHATTAN — Are you tough enough to wear pink?
The Kaw Valley Rodeo Association's 10th annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo will be at 8 p.m. Friday, July 22, at Wells Arena in Manhattan's CiCo Park. The event honors cancer survivors and raises awareness and funds for Kansas State University's Johnson Cancer Research Center.
The Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo is part of the three-day Kaw Valley PRCA Rodeo, July 21-23. The rodeo is in conjunction with the Riley County Fair, July 21-25. A portion of Friday night's rodeo ticket sales will go to the cancer research center.
"We want rodeo fans to pack the arena with pink July 22," said Gene Klingler, a local physician and chairman of the rodeo association's Pink Committee. "This event serves as a reminder that cowboys and cowgirls are tough, but cancer survivors are even tougher."
Pink T-shirts, hats, bandanas and more will be available for purchase at the rodeo and throughout July, with all proceeds supporting cancer research and education programs at Kansas State University.
"The pink rodeo is a touching and exciting event, and a huge undertaking. We thank the Kaw Valley Rodeo Association, sponsors and volunteers for putting it on, as well as all the spectators who support it," said Rob Denell, director of the Johnson Cancer Research Center.
Cox Bros. BBQ, 223 McCall Road, Manhattan, will support the rodeo association's Tough Enough to Wear Pink efforts with a fundraiser Sunday, July 10. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of the day's profits to the cause. The event will feature a carved meat buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for $12.95 and $2 sliders all day. Advance tickets for the buffet can be purchased for $10 from the Johnson Cancer Research Center, 1 Chalmers Hall, 1711 Claflin Road, or by contacting cancerresearch@k-state.edu or 785-532-6705.
Sponsors are still being sought for the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo. Sponsors are listed on the cancer research center's website and recognized in a variety of other ways. People interested in sponsoring should contact Klingler at 785-532-9203.
The Johnson Cancer Research Center supports and advances cancer research and education at Kansas State University. Its programs are made possible by private donations. Information is at cancer.k-state.edu.
