Gunnison Tough
We’re Rebranding
Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink is now Gunnison Tough.
Why, What’s Changing?
Previously subsiding under Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo, Gunnison Tough now has an independent 501C-3 status allowing the organization to continue our community support, expand our grant application opportunities, and continue our valued partnerships.
A Letter from our Executive Director
Not a day goes by without someone—whether a friend or a stranger—approaches me to share their gratitude for what Gunnison Tough (GT) has brought to the Gunnison Valley. They tell me stories of how GT has touched their lives or supported someone they love during a cancer journey. I often hear how life-saving cancer screenings were made possible through GT for those without insurance or whose coverage didn’t extend to vital, doctor-recommended tests.
The next question I’m usually asked is, “How do you do it? What makes Gunnison Tough so extraordinary?”
The answer is simple: the PEOPLE.
Gunnison Tough is not just an organization—it’s a community. A collective of big-hearted, hardworking, creative, and passionate individuals who come together to make a di erence. It’s this network of incredible people that makes GT what it is: a beacon of hope and support for families in our valley facing cancer.
The success of Gunnison Tough has never been, and never will be, about one person. It’s about all of us—the community working as one to make the impossible possible. GT thrives because of:
• Dedicated volunteers who pour their time and energy into our cause
• Generous donors whose contributions fuel our mission
• Talented singer-songwriter artists who give their voices to spread awareness
• Our incredible GT staff and Board of Directors, who keep the wheels turning
• The Gunnison Valley community, united in love and support
• The brave families battling cancer, who inspire us every day
• Our local hospital (GVH)—its compassionate physicians, leaders, and staff
• Sponsors, both local and national, who believe in what we do
• High school and university students and faculty, always eager to lend a hand
• Local kids, raising money in the most creative and heartfelt ways
• Every person wearing a GT hoodie or license plate, spreading our message of hope
• Ice hockey referees and scorekeepers, donating their time for the cause
• Local artists, crafting one-of-a-kind masterpieces for our auctions
Every single person, in their unique way, plays a part in the magic of Gunnison Tough. Every day, I’m reminded of how lucky we are to live in this valley and to be part of something so profoundly good. Being involved in this movement is not just a responsibility; it’s an honor.
Heart is part of the essence of who we are. It reflects the love, resilience, and unity that drive our mission and define our culture. It’s what drives us forward. It’s what makes Gunnison Tough truly unstoppable. When people made of heart pull together with a common goal, they can accomplish the extraordinary. Whether you’re a staple in our GT family or new to the valley, I encourage you to get involved and hope to see you at our next event.
Heidi Sherratt
Executive Director
2024 Annual Report
Download the 2024 Annual Report (PDF, 2 MB)
PATIENTS: please visit “How to Get Assistance” for an application.
Gunnison Tough Merchandise!
Take a look at our oh-so-cute merch by flipping through our catalog below. You can get your favorites by contacting Gunnison Tough!
Winter Songwriter Shuffle Concerts!
February 14th: Wood Box Heroes, Dean Dillon, & Ernest
Mountaineer Square Ballroom, Mt. Crested Butte
March 22nd: Mae Estes, SJ McDonald, Marti Dodson, and Autumn McEntire
Elevation Hotel, Mt. Crested Butte
Thanks to the Town of Mt. Crested Butte!
Sign Up for Pink in the Rink!
Feb 28th, Mar 1st & 2nd, 2025
Gunnison Tough was in my corner for the fight of my life. Making sure I was taken care of and not giving up. They made me realize it was ok to pause some of my life to fight. To win. That I wasn’t being lazy or a charity case. But that I was getting the help that I needed to beat this. And I did win.
-Meagan F.
Our Mission:
Gunnison Tough is dedicated to providing comprehensive cancer programs to keep our community strong.
Our Vision:
Gunnison Tough keeps all the money raised in our valley to support our community in their needs to stay healthy and strong in the face of cancer. Equipped with a powerful historical foundation, Gunnison Tough continues to identify and serve our community’s growing needs through partnerships and collaboration to provide our valley with the best rural cancer care in the country.
“GVH has one of the strongest rural mammography programs in the state of Colorado and the Gunnison community should be proud of this service.”
– Inspector, Colorado Department of Health and Human Services
New Community Needs Bulletin Board
Once in a while, we receive requests that Gunnison Tough cannot fulfill for local cancer patients or we receive links for GoFundMe campaigns. You might be able to help!
New Request: Dylan Miller GoFundMe Account
Dylan has recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer He is facing a physical and emotional toll of the disease and also the overwhelming financial strain that comes with such a diagnosis. Please join neighbors and friends in contributing to Dylan’s Chemo Journey GoFundMe account.
Say hello to our Patient Transportation Vehicles: Bucky, Tuffy, & Betty Ann!
Read more about how Gunnison Tough is helping patients reach their appointments safely and comfortably with our patient transportation vehicles, Bucky, Tuffy, and Betty Ann.
Driver volunteers are needed! Please see the information at the bottom of this page if you would like to volunteer to drive one of our transportation vehicles.
Thank you to Sky High Offroad and CB Towing & Recovery for keeping Bucky, Tuffy, and Betty Ann in tip-top shape from their tires to oil changes.
“Gunnison Valley Health and Tough Enough To Wear Pink have collaborated on a strategic plan to bring the best in breast care services to the Valley. We could not have done this without the support of Tough Enough to Wear Pink.”
– Rob Santilli, CEO Gunnison Valley Health
How We Have Helped the Gunnison Valley
According to a 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment, cancer care is one of the highest priority needs identified by our community. To address this need, Gunnison Tough has helped in the following ways:
- Total fundraising to date since 2005 is $6,279,634.
- 2022 Cattlemen’s Days fundraising campaigns raised $1,125,034.
- Pedal for Pink raised $33,000.
- 2021 fundraising campaigns raised $650,000.
- 2020 fundraising campaigns raised $557,000.
- 2023 – Purchase of the ABUS – automated breast ultrasound machine – $279,807.50
- 2020 $147,000 purchase of Breast MRI Coil.
- 2019 $160,000 purchase of a Breast Stereotactic Biopsy Device.
2017 $370,000.00 purchase of a Hologic 3D Tomosynthesis Mammography Machine.
- Proven to detect 20%-65% more invasive breast cancers compared to 2D alone, an average increase of 41%.
- Proven to reduce callbacks by up to 40% compared to 2D alone.
- FDA approved as superior for women with dense breasts compared to 2D alone.
- $120,000 funded in mammograms, ultrasounds, and biopsies since 2013 for uninsured or underinsured Gunnison Valley residents. In 2020 alone, Gunnison Tough has funded more than $25,000 to cover the cost of life-saving breast cancer screenings for those who do not have health insurance coverage.
- Over $1,679,807.50 has been used since 2006 to purchase equipment ( ABUS, Breast MRI Coil, 3D Tomosynthesis, ultrasound, digital mammography, stereotactic biopsy, PINK robes, and warmers) to expand breast cancer services at Gunnison Valley Hospital as part of a comprehensive strategic plan with Gunnison Valley Hospital to make this the best small town breast cancer facility in the US.
- 30% of the salary for the Oncology Nurse Navigator hired to help all cancer patients in the Gunnison Valley to navigate the complexities of treatments, medications, insurance, transportation, and provide support and assistance throughout all stages of the cancer continuum.
- “Tuffy” the Transportation Ram Truck purchased in 2016, and “Bucky” the Dodge Durango purchased in 2018 help all cancer patients get to their out of town medical appointments safely and comfortably. They have traveled over 132,735 miles across the state. TETWP welcomed a third vehicle, Betty Ann,
donated in 2020! - $190,000 granted since 2015 through the Friends of Pink program to help individuals in the Gunnison Valley who were impacted financially due to a breast cancer diagnosis (lost wages, travel expenses for treatment, etc.).
- $10,000 in funding the honorary Edie Gibson “Make It A Great Day” program which helps Gunnison Valley residents who are diagnosed with cancer by providing coupons for them and their caregivers to utilize the therapy services of Integrative Therapies.
- $10,000 to fund Mammo Mondays. A nice treat providing patients with a relaxing massage or reiki after having their annual mammogram at GVH.
- $34,000 since 2019 through Lucy’s House providing lodging assistance to individuals with any type of cancer.
- $2,000 to Casting for Recovery to send two Gunnison County Ladies to the 2018 Fly Fishing Retreat for breast cancer survivors in Redstone, CO.
Bucky, Tuffy, & Betty Ann Drivers Needed
Would you like to volunteer to drive breast cancer patients to breast cancer clinics or hospitals? Listen to this KBUT interview for more information. Please contact us if you would like to volunteer to drive or fill one of our other volunteer positions. We appreciate your kindness!