2012 Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo is Tough Enough to Wear Pink

The Rapid City Regional Hospital Foundation is preparing for their 6th year of the Tough Enough to Wear Pink (TETWP) Campaign at the 2012 Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo (BHSSR).

Since its start in 2007, the Foundation has raised more than $524,000 for the Regional Cancer Care Institute. The local foundation became familiar with TETWP after staff members saw it first-hand at the National Finals Rodeo. Working with local sponsors – Dakota Radiology, the Rapid City Journal and KAT Country, the Foundation began selling TETWP T-shirts at a booth at the BHSSR. The campaign has expanded to sell shirts throughout the Black Hills and raise money during a Cowgirl Pink Brunch held during the BHSSR.

Each year Sutton Rodeos sponsors the TETWP Rodeo during the BHSSR. The Rapid City Regional Hospital Foundation is featured at the rodeo presenting a check to the Regional Cancer Care Institute for the funds raised at that year’s event. Local cancer survivors and sponsors help in the check presentation and meet the rodeo crowd.

In 2011 more than 150 local businesses participated in the TETWP program by getting their employees to buy shirts, pose for a picture and placing the photo in the Rapid City Journal to challenge other businesses to become “Tough Enough.” Every year the newspaper turns pink during the BHSSR, displaying all the business photos.

According to the National TETWP Web site, the Rapid City Regional Hospital Foundation’s 2011 campaign at the BHSSR is one of the top fundraisers in the nation.

“We have worked very hard the last five years and our generous community has stepped up and helped in the fight against cancer. It’s been an honor to work with all the volunteers who continue to help at all the fundraisers and a big thank you goes out to everyone who buys the T-shirts and helped take us to one of the top spots in fundraising in 2011. But even more importantly, the equipment purchased through this campaign donations is helping save lives,” said Angie Kliewer, Rapid City Regional Hospital Foundation Director.

The TETWP campaign starts on Friday, Jan. 27 at this year’s BHSSR.

– Sutton Rodeo