Chicks n’ Chaps held their seventh annual all-women rodeo clinic at the fairgrounds this past August, where participants learned about bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and barrel racing from real cowboys and cowgirls. As a spin-off event of Tough Enough to Wear Pink, Chicks n’ Chaps also raises awareness about breast cancer by educating participants about breast health.
“We are proud to donate all money raised to two local charities: the Fair Foundation and the Kootenai Health Foundation,” said Mary Larson, Chicks n’ Chaps event co-chair.
The money gifted to Kootenai Health Foundation goes to help local breast cancer patients through the Cancer Patient Support Fund. The fund helps bridge the gap of the financial burdens that cancer patients endure by assisting them with the means to pay their everyday living expenses such as groceries, gas, rent, prescription co-pays, and pharmacy expenses.
“These funds provide so much more than financial assistance. They provide peace of mind that with the gas voucher they will arrive to their next appointment, and with the grocery store gift card they will have food on the table for their family,” said Tolli Willhite, Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services community relations outreach coordinator. “These funds help ensure that patients receive the potentially life-saving treatment they deserve.”
“It is our sincere belief that with our collaboration with the Kootenai Health Foundation and the generous donations from our community at events like Chicks n’ Chaps, we’re giving folks the assistance they need to stay on course with their treatment and focus on the battle of fighting their diagnosis. On behalf of our patients, social workers, providers and staff, we’re forever grateful for the generosity of this great community,” Willhite said.