The Wrangler® Tough Enough to Wear Pink™ Western Campaign to fight breast cancer reaches $26 million raised mark

Making a big impact--one small donation at a time

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Dec 12, 2017, 07:00 ET

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A milestone was reached Monday night at the 13^th Annual Wrangler® Tough Enough to Wear Pink^™(TETWP) Night at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The grassroots cowboy campaign has exceeded the $26 million fundraising mark!

The campaign was created in 2004 by Wheatley, wine industry executive and matriarch of a professional rodeo cowboy family and Karl Stressman, former director of special events for Wrangler and now Commissioner of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The idea was to raise money and awareness for breast cancer by challenging rodeo competitors and fans alike to wear pink. Wrangler is the title sponsor of TETWP and a portion of proceeds from everything sold within the Wrangler Tough Enough to Wear Pink merchandise collection goes back to the campaign fund.

Along with the generous support of western businesses such as Wrangler, Montana Silversmiths, Las Vegas Events, Twisted X Boots and Purple Cowboy wines, Wrangler TETWP relies on the hard work of regional rodeos and western events across the country. The strength of the TETWP is that funds raised stay locally to benefit community breast cancer charities. It is the dedication of volunteers on the ground at local events that drives the campaign.

"When we started the Tough Enough To Wear Pink campaign in 2004 our goal was to reach $50 million raised by the 20^th anniversary in 2024. What seemed an impossible dream at the time is well on the way to becoming a reality thanks to the hard work of the rodeo committees and events and support of our sponsors," commented Wheatley, herself a breast cancer survivor.

A notable example of the grassroots efforts is the #1 PRCA rodeo fundraiser, Cattlemen's Days Rodeo in Gunnison, Colo. A long-time Top Five Wrangler TETWP fundraiser, the Gunnison western community has raised close to $2 million over the years to support the fight against breast cancer in their hometown.

Among their goals is to make Gunnison Valley Health the number one rural hospital for breast cancer care in the U.S. by providing funds for services, medical equipment and support.

Lacey Wheatley, Terry Wheatley's daughter-in-law, is the Director of Wrangler TETWP and coordinates with rodeos and other non-rodeo organizations to create the pink-themed fundraisers. Her daughter Katie supports the social media outreach for the campaign.

Hats Off to the Top Five Wrangler TETWP PRCA Rode Fundraisers 2017

Cattlemen's Days Rodeo – Gunnison, Colo.
Crosby Fair & Rodeo – Crosby, Texas
Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo
Magic Valley Stampede
Red Bluff Roundup

And, the Top Five TETWP Special Events 2017

Cowboys for Cancer Research
Rancheros Vistadores TETWP
TETWP of Montana
TETWP Horse Show
TETWP of Northern California

About Wrangler® Tough Enough To Wear Pink? ™
Wrangler® TETWP™ was created by entrepreneur and breast cancer survivor Terry Wheatley along with Karl Stressman to bring the sport of professional rodeo and the western community together to rally against breast cancer. Since its inception in 2004, Wrangler TETWP has empowered rodeos in the U.S. and Canada to focus attention on the need for a cure. To date, the campaign has raised $25 million for breast cancer charities, most of which stays right in the local communities. The grassroots movement has inspired other sports communities to mount their own Wrangler TETWP campaigns, spreading a message of hope and support that reaches beyond the rodeo arena to competitors, families and fans across America. For more information on how to help, visit www.toughenoughtowearpink.com.

About Wrangler^®Wrangler^® is proud to be the title sponsor of Wrangler® Tough Enough to Wear Pink™ and is available nationwide in specialty stores, including work apparel chains, farm & fleet, and western stores, as well as through online and catalog retailers, and www.wrangler.com. To find a retailer or for more information on the Wrangler^® family of products, visit www.wrangler.com or call 888-784-8571.

Contact: Terry Wheatley
209-483-4768

SOURCE Tough Enough to Wear Pink