The Wrangler® Tough Enough to Wear Pink™ Western Campaign reaches $28 million raised

The Wrangler® Tough Enough to Wear Pink™ Western Campaign reaches $28 million raised

Lacey Wheatley and Terry Wheatley
Lacey Wheatley and Terry Wheatley

Grassroots campaign celebrates year’s top fundraisers to support families facing breast cancer in their communities

A milestone was reached Monday night at the 14th Annual Wrangler® Tough Enough to Wear Pink(TETWP) Night at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The grassroots cowboy campaign has exceeded the 28 million dollar fundraising mark!

The campaign was created in 2004 by Terry Wheatley, wine industry executive and matriarch of a professional rodeo cowboy family and Karl Stressman, former director of special events for Wrangler.  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 campaign is that funds raised stay local to benefit the 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, we were overwhelmed by the support from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, businesses, rodeo athletes, rodeo committees and western communities across the country. What seemed like an impossible dream to raise $50 million by our 20th Anniversary in 2024 is well on the way to becoming a reality,” commented Wheatley, herself a breast cancer survivor.

A notable example of the grassroots efforts is #1 PRCA rodeo fundraiser, Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo in Gunnison, Colo. A long-time Top Five Wrangler TETWP fundraiser, the Gunnison community has raised more than 2.7 million dollars through the TETWP campaign to support the fight against breast cancer in their hometown.

Founded 119 years ago in Gunnison Valley, Colo., Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo is considered the “Granddaddy of Colorado Rodeos.” Through the Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo, the community has shown its steadfast commitment to providing local funding for breast cancer awareness, prevention, education, support, breast screenings and equipment.

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.

Hats Off to the Top Five Wrangler TETWP PRCA Rodeo Fundraisers 2018

  1. Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo – Gunnison, Colorado
  2. Crosby Fair & Rodeo – Crosby, Texas
  3. Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo-Rapid City, South Dakota
  4. Magic Valley Stampede-Filer, Idaho
  5. Lynden Rodeo-Lynden, Washington

And, the Top Five TETWP Special Events 2018

  1. Cowboys for Cancer Research
  2. Rancheros Visitadores TETWP
  3. TETWP of Montana
  4. TETWP Horse Show
  5. TETWP of Northern Colorado

 

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 $28 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®  has been an icon in authentic American style around the world for more than 70 years. With a rich legacy rooted in the American west, Wrangler commits to offering unmatched quality and timeless design. Its collections for men, women and children look and feel great, inspiring those who wear them to be strong and ready for life, every day.

Wrangler is available in retail stores worldwide, including brand flagship stores in Denver and Dallas, department stores, mass-market retailers, specialty shops, western outfitters, and online. A VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, Wrangler is backed by one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies with socially and environmentally responsible operations spanning numerous geographies. For more information, visit Wrangler.com.

Celebrate Breast Cancer Survivors!

Celebrate Breast Cancer Survivors!

The fight against breast cancer hits close to home here at Purple Cowboy. Our co-founder, Terry Wheatley, is a breast cancer survivor. She lost her grandmother to the disease, her mother had a double mastectomy before the age of 40 and her daughter Katie had undergone two surgical biopsies before the age of 20.

Terry created Tough Enough to Wear Pink, a nationally-recognized campaign and framework for rodeos and western events to help them promote breast cancer awareness and fundraising to benefit their local communities.

Once again, we’re asking you to share your personal breast cancer “Survivor Story” in the “Celebrate Survivors” campaign.

By submitting your story, you’ll be entered for a chance to win two tickets to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this December!

Your story may also be featured across our social media channels in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (Don’t worry, we’ll contact you before anything is posted!)

Thank you in advance for helping in the fight against breast cancer and supporting Tough Enough to Wear Pink! Learn more about Tough Enough to Wear Pink at: http://www.toughenoughtowearpink.com/.

Don’t forget! Our Purple Cowboy Wines are proud to support Tough Enough to Wear Pink! Learn where to find them near you.

Survivor Stories – Winner Announcement!

Survivor Stories – Winner Announcement!

This year, we challenged you to share your breast cancer “Survivor Story” or the story of someone you love. To honor these survivors, we’re sharing their stories all month long on the Tough Enough To Wear Pink Facebook Page AND one story was chosen at random for the grand prize of two Gold Buckle seats at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo coming up in December.

And the winner is… Karen from El Paso, Texas!

Here’s her story in her own words:

Thank you to everyone who submitted a story in our “Survivor Stories” campaign. Remember to watch the Tough Enough To Wear Pink Facebook Page to read many of the stories submitted.

And thank you for being Tough Enough To Wear Pink!

April is Western Tough Month!

April is Western Tough Month!

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Tough Enough to Wear Pink is on a mission to turn the Western community PINK this month! They’re claiming April for their own! The goal is to get the word out about breast cancer awareness and research this April, designating it Tough Enough to Wear Pink month.

Like many in our community, our team has been affected by breast cancer. Terry Wheatley, creator of Purple Cowboy wines and founder of Tough Enough to Wear Pink, is a survivor herself; lost her grandmother to breast cancer, and both her mother and daughter have been affected by the disease.

For the next 30 days, we’ll be supporting our friends and family who are “Western Tough” and work tirelessly to support the Tough Enough mission throughout the year. One of those great friends, Twisted X Boots, will be sharing breast cancer survivor stories on their Facebook Page every day during the month of April.

 Tough Enough to Wear Pink is on a mission to turn the Western community PINK this month! They’re claiming April for their own! The goal is to get the word out about breast cancer awareness and research this April, designating it Tough Enough to Wear Pink month. Like many in our community, our team has been affected by breast cancer. Terry Wheatley, creator of Purple Cowboy wines and founder of Tough Enough to Wear Pink, is a survivor herself; lost her grandmother to breast cancer, and both her mother and daughter have been affected by the disease. For the next 30 days, we’ll be supporting our friends and family who are “Western Tough” and work tirelessly to support the Tough Enough mission throughout the year. One of those great friends, Twisted X Boots, will be sharing breast cancer survivor stories on their Facebook Page every day during the month of April.  Tough Enough to Wear Pink will be posting those stories to their Facebook page. Please make sure you’re a fan, so you can follow along with us.   A portion of each sale of Twisted X shoes supports Tough Enough to Wear Pink. Check out the TETWP  collection at your local Twisted X retailer. And if they don’t carry these shoes, ask them to order some! TETWP will also be sharing news about rodeos across the country and how they raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to support breast cancer awareness and research through special Tough Enough events.  And we can’t forget to mention that Purple Cowboy Wines, a part of the Wine Sisterhood family of  wines is a proud supporter of Tough Enough to Wear Pink. Follow us on Facebook for even more Western Tough updates.  Let’s take this offline! Support for Tough Enough to Wear Pink can come in many forms. Here are just a few ideas:  Browse the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Store and pick up some new Pink gear.  Like Tough Enough to Wear Pink on Facebook Follow the Tough Enough to Wear Pink blog Sip on Purple Cowboy Wines, a proud TETWP supporter  Attend an upcoming Tough Enough to Wear Pink Day at a rodeo near you! Wear pink gear regularly and proudly share the Tough Enough cause. Pink does look wonderful on you this time of year!    Happy Tough Enough to Wear Pink Month!

Tough Enough to Wear Pink will be posting those stories to their Facebook page. Please make sure you’re a fan, so you can follow along with us.

A portion of each sale of Twisted X shoes supports Tough Enough to Wear Pink. Check out the TETWP  collection at your local Twisted X retailer. And if they don’t carry these shoes, ask them to order some!

TETWP will also be sharing news about rodeos across the country and how they raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to support breast cancer awareness and research through special Tough Enough events.

And we can’t forget to mention that Purple Cowboy Wines, a part of the Wine Sisterhood family of
wines is a proud supporter of Tough Enough to Wear Pink. Follow us on Facebook for even more Western Tough updates.

Let’s take this offline! Support for Tough Enough to Wear Pink can come in many forms. Here are just a few ideas:

Happy Tough Enough to Wear Pink Month!

“Power in Pink” Photo Sweepstakes

“Power in Pink” Photo Sweepstakes

Power in Pink Photo Sweepstakes from Tough Enough to Wear Pink

Are you Tough Enough to Wear Pink? Share photos of yourself sporting pink gear and you’re entered to win! Capture moments that show Tough Enough to Wear Pink that there is “Power in Pink” and support for breast cancer all over the world.

Upload your photo to the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Facebook app here and you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of four Tough Enough goodie bags. Tough Enough will randomly choose one winner each week through the end of October.

Four winners, will be pulled one a week over the next four weeks, to win awesome TETWP goodie bags. All you have to do is upload a photo of you wearing pink!

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You must be at least 18 years old and live in the US to enter.

George Strait TETWP Golf Tournament

George Strait TETWP Golf Tournament


The George Strait Tough Enough to Wear Pink Golf Tournament has become a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo tradition. This year the tournament raised a whopping $15,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, dedicated to breast cancer awareness education and research about causes, treatment, and the search for a cure.

Watch the video above produced by Cowgirl Magazine, including interviews with Tough Enough co-founders Terry Wheatley and Karl Stressman, PRCA Commissioner, about how the organization began and where it’s headed.

George Strait with 10th Anniversary Tough Enough bottle of Purple Cowboy Wine

Once again, big thanks to George Strait, Wrangler and PRCA for their support of Tough Enough to Wear Pink!

View more photos from the tournament on the Wrangler Facebook Page here.

Tough Enough 10th Anniversary Message

Tough Enough 10th Anniversary Message

This year, Tough Enough to Wear Pink is proud to have raised more than $20 million since we began 10 years ago. We are proud of the more than 300 rodeos and events that participate each year. We are proud of Wrangler, the title sponsor of this campaign. And we are proud of the cowboys and cowgirls who have made this campaign their own.

Watch the video above to listen to a special message from Tough Enough to Wear Pink co-founder, Terry Wheatley. We’ll see you at Tough Enough to Wear Pink night at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on December 8!

Learn more about the story behind Tough Enough to Wear Pink here.