Writer: Julie M. Hughes, 575-646-1953, juhughes@nmsu.edu

Cowboys for Cancer Research Inc. announced Thursday, April 21, a commitment to establish a $1.5 million endowment through the New Mexico State University Foundation to fund cancer research. An initial gift of $275,000 will launch the endowment with a plan to add funding each year until the principal value reaches $1.5 million.

Representatives from Cowboys for Cancer Research and NMSU Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink gather to celebrate a gift of $1.5 million to the university, which will be used to endow cancer research efforts. (photo by Darren Phillips)

Also at the announcement, members of the Aggies Are Tough Enough to Wear Pink Committee, who annually lead a fundraising drive for Cowboys for Cancer Research, announced that they will once again commemorate “Pink Month” in October including the Aggies’ “Pink Football Game” Oct. 15 against Idaho.

“I am pleased to have this opportunity to publicly thank the members of the Cowboys for Cancer Research team for their years of dedication to a cause that is important to all of us,” said NMSU President Barbara Couture.

Couture said NMSU has played a role in cancer research for many years including the important work of NMSU chemistry professor, Jeffrey Arterburn, who has been a research partner with the University of New Mexico Cancer Center for more than 10 years.

“Our faculty are tirelessly seeking new knowledge that we know will one day lead to a cure. Now the Cowboys for Cancer Research team has committed funds from their many fundraising events to establish a new permanent endowment at New Mexico State that will encourage additional research efforts and programs aimed at gaining a better understanding of this complex disease,” Couture said.

Kevin Davis, president of Cowboys for Cancer Research Inc., said when the Aggies Are Tough Enough To Wear Pink fundraising initiative began in 2007, no one dreamed that the entire Las Cruces and New Mexico State community would become so actively involved.
“The impact of the funds generated from efforts by the ‘Pink Ladies’ prompted Cowboys for Cancer Research to explore ways to create a permanent endowment at NMSU,” Davis said.

NMSU Board of Regents Chair Laura Conniff, who spoke on behalf of the “Pink Team,” said, “We are pleased to partner with the Cowboys for Cancer Research team because their commitment to fighting cancer grows from the same personal experience that drives each of us. We are the lucky ones – the ones able to talk to you about surviving cancer. We want that same opportunity for everyone and research is the key to that ultimate success.”

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — A night of great racing entertainment for a great cause as the USRA Modifieds, UMP Late Models, Super Trucks, and Rick’s Performance Center Street Stocks brought the noise in support of Cowboys for Cancer Research at the Southern New Mexico Speedway. In its first year, the Cowboys for Cancer Research Benefit night raised nearly $4,000 thanks to over 1,000 fans in the stands and private donations from Mesilla Valley Transportation, CSR Garage, Barnett Harley Davidson, and NAPA of Las Cruces.

Courtesy of http://www.racefan.com

(Las Cruces, NM) This Saturday at the Speedway just got BIGGER!! On top of the $5 admission price to reward our fans for their support, the Speedway wants to give even more. 

The first 1,000 general admission tickets sold will see $1 from every ticket go directly to Cowboys for Cancer. After 1,000 general admission tickets are sold, all monies will be donated to Cowboys for Cancer and then if over 2,000 general admission tickets are sold, Mesilla Valley Transportation will donate $5,000 to Cowboys for Cancer!!

On the front gate alone if the Speedway get over 2,000 people in the stands, Cowboys for Cancer Research looks to get $11,000 but we cannot do it without the help of everyone in the southwest. If you do the math, every 1,000 fans over the benchmark 2,000 is another $5,000 for Cowboys for Cancer Research.

“Here is your chance by going to the Speedway to help raise money for a great cause.” said Speedway co-owner and promoter Royal Jones. He continued by saying. “On top of what our fans will give buy just going to the races, we are giving them a chance to really make a difference.”

April 2nd, gates open at 5:30pm with racing getting underway at 7:45pm. Featured classes include the USRA Modifieds, UMP Late Models, Street Stocks, and Super Trucks.

The Southern New Mexico Speedway is located 11 miles west of Las Cruces at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. For turn by turn directions log onto www.snmspeedway.com/maps.php.

Donations to Cowboys for Cancer Research can be made at the Speedway on April 2nd or in advance at the Speedway business office located at 3590 West Picacho Ave.

To keep up on all the happenings at the Speedway, sign up for the E-Newsletter by texting the word “Speedway” to 22828 from you mobile device or sign up at www.snmspeedway.com.

You can also follow the Speedway on Facebook and Twitter.

Courtesy of  The Las Cruces Bulletin

Photos by Theresa Montoya Basaldua and David McCollum

Brett Parkey

Brett Parkey showcases the saddle that he and his wife Dena bid on for the fantastic amount of $5,000 at the Cowboys for Cancer Research Dinner Dance held Friday, Oct. 8, at Dickerson’s Event Center. Parkey, the first steward of the saddle, will have bragging rights for one year and then will return the traveling trophy and receive a custom belt buckle. The saddle was made by local saddle maker David Porter of The Tanned Calf.

By: Todd G. Dickson, Las Cruces Bulletin

Still packing a punch!

During the NMSU Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink football game against the University of New Mexico, Saturday, Oct. 9, one of the campaign co-chairs Laura Conniff sent out the following text message: “We raised half a million dollars, Aggie Memorial Stadium is filled with people and we won! It can’t get much better than this!”

Despite many in the state feeling the pinch of the recession “not to mention a lively election siphoning off contributions ” the $506,939 in cash and in-kind services raised in this years campaign exceeds last years game halftime estimate of just under $500,000.

That New Mexico State University beat UNM 16-14 makes it just that much sweeter to Conniff and co-chairs Magellia Boston, Mary Henson and Pat Sisbarro.  Conniff noted the total announced at halftime is an estimate because schools and different community groups are still holding Pink fundraising events throughout October.  Conniff’s voice struggles to hold back emotions as she speaks about the outpouring of support from the community.

This community has just responded to this event, she said.  I think it’s because people understand how important it is.  The money raised goes to a fund that pays for cancer research conducted here in New Mexico, Conniff said, and people like that the research is guided by the UNM Cancer Center and includes NMSU researchers.  They also trust Cowboys for Cancer Research to be the nonprofit entity that handles the money raised, she said.

Part of the reason the Lobo-Aggie intrastate rivalry game was picked this year to be the Pink campaign game was a strategic decision to make the local Tough Enough to Wear Pink effort more statewide, Conniff acknowledged, which also helped this years TETWP top last year.

NMSUs Pink campaign has become the most successful TETWP campaign in the nation, which started in the rodeo circuits. Conniff credits NMSU Rodeo coach Jimmy Dewey Brown with holding a TETWP rodeo here that got others in NMSU talking about holding a TETWP football game. From there it has blossomed into the success it is, and now Conniff noted that the National Football League and other professional sports are beginning to hold TETWP events.

It should come as no surprise, Conniff said, because it’s hard to find someone whose life has not been affected by cancer either personally “ like the four co-chairs” or through a family member.  Though the NMSU Pink campaign’s focus is on breast cancer, the research conducted helps all cancer treatment to improve in some way, Conniff said.

For example, the research sponsored by the local Pink campaign goes into investigations of an estrogen protein receptor called GPR30. Since its discovery by a team of UNM and NMSU researchers, GPR30 has been found in neural, breast cancer, placental, heart, ovarian, prostate, hepatic, vascular epithelial and lymphoid tissue. Besides breast cancer, a GPR30 relation has been found in ovarian cancer cells. Also, activation of GPR30 has shown promise in inhibiting prostate cancer progression.

Just as important – if not more important – is the awareness the campaign raises about cancer and early detection, Conniff said. It is especially encouraging to see young people getting involved, she said, and through that involvement there will be cancers detected and treated earlier for many. Conniff said she continues to be surprised and delighted by the creativity of the young people in their support of the Pink campaign.

In terms of the cash raised, in-kind services donated and the awareness, we just are so pleased and thankful to everyone Conniff said.  … people understand how important it is. LAURA CONNIFF, Tough Enough to Wear Pink co-chair

LAS CRUCES – Ropers from throughout New Mexico, west Texas and Arizona saddled up Saturday for Cowboys for Cancer Research’s annual team roping event to support the fight against the deadly disease.

Participants of all ages and their horses donned pink in what organizers believed would prove to be a record-breaking show of support for the nonprofit’s 28th annual event.

The two-day team roping event – one of the largest roping events in New Mexico – continues today at the Sproul Arena, formerly known as Calhoun Arena, located north of Las Cruces on Harvey Farm Road.

Prizes, including a three-horse gooseneck trailer, saddles and buckles, will be awarded.

C4CR Roping

“Despite great economic uncertainty, residents of southern New Mexico are certain about one thing – they still want to do their part to beat cancer,” said Denny Calhoun, co-executive director of the organization. “Last year was a record-breaking year for Cowboys for Cancer Research’s dinner, dance and team roping competition.”

More than $800,000, including in-kind donations, was raised last year by Cowboys for Cancer in conjunction with the New Mexico State University Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink breast cancer awareness initiative.

Source:

Lauren E. Toney

Las Cruces Sun-News