Winter Songwriter Shuffle Series
First Concert: December 16th
Elevation Hotel
Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink
Our Mission:
Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough To Wear Pink (TETWP) is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to our community in the fight against cancer.
Breast cancer is our #1 focus, but our programs are now open to people who are diagnosed with any type of cancer.
A Letter from our Executive Director
I was recently asked to write a timeline of the history of Tough Enough To Wear Pink (TETWP) in the Gunnison Valley. As I combed through the last ten years of my time as the first executive director of TETWP, I was reminded of the hundreds of people who have been a part of this organization over the last 17 years. TETWP’s history runs deep in this valley. The reason this organization continues to grow and meet new goals is because of the passion of every one of these people, working hard together, knowing that they are making a difference.
This passion started with the Cattlemen’s Days rodeo committee bringing the TETWP program to our community through the beloved local PRCA Rodeo. These roots have grown into an organization that is saving lives and helping people and families going through a cancer diagnosis. We continue to grow. Because of TETWP’s success, we have opened our programs to ALL cancers, with breast cancer still a priority focus. Every dollar we raise stays in this valley and helps in our community.
Who has made this possible? Hardworking volunteers, award-winning Nashville singer-songwriters, corporate partners, sponsors, our local hospital, GVH, the students in the Gunnison Watershed Schools, local businesses, Western Colorado University athletes, full-time and part-time locals of all ages, this ENTIRE community! TETWP rises on the shoulders of all of the people who believe in making a difference and who have built together upon a shared vision for TETWP.
TETWP has become a family of the most incredible people I have ever known. What we have accomplished is truly a testament to our beautifully unique community. It is a labor of love, and we see it working here EVERY DAY, helping our friends and family, making a life-changing impact for so many in the Gunnison Valley. When hundreds of people collectively pour love, positive energy, and support into something bigger than themselves, it is unstoppable. This is what fuels the TETWP programs for the prevention, detection, and support of those going through cancer.
The magic that happens when this TETWP family works together is undeniable. It is a reminder of how incredible it feels to be a part of something bigger than yourself. No matter how you are involved, IT HELPS! So please continue to support and invite your friends to become a part of TETWP so we can keep setting new goals and building together.
I am honored and proud to have been involved with TETWP since the beginning. I am inspired every day by the love that pours into this organization from so many wonderful people. THANK YOU to each and every one of you!
With Love & Gratitude,
Heidi Sherratt
Executive Director – Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink
We are a 501(C)(3) organization.
Cattlemen’s Days TETWP
2022 Annual Report (PDF, 2 MB)
DONATIONS
If you would like to donate to Cattlemen's Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink, visit our donate page or mail a check to PO BOX 375, Gunnison, CO 81230.
Say hello to our Patient Transportation Vehicles: Bucky, Tuffy, & Betty Ann!
Read more about how Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink 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 for keeping Bucky, Tuffy, and Betty Ann in tip-top shape from their tires to oil changes.
2022 Annual Report (PDF, 2 MB)
PATIENTS: click here for the Patient Assistance Fund Application PDF or DOCX.
“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
“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
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, Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink has helped in the following ways:
The numbers below are as of October 2022. 2023 statistics are coming soon.
- Total fundraising to date since 2005 is $5,154,600.
- 2022 Cattlemen’s Days fundraising campaigns raised $762,000.
- Pedal for Pink raised $33,000.
- 2021 fundraising campaigns raised $650,000.
- 2020 fundraising campaigns raised $557,000.
- 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, TETWP 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 $1,400,000 has been used since 2006 to purchase equipment (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.
- Tough Enough To Wear Pink covers 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 fill out the contact form below if you would like to volunteer to drive or fill one of our other volunteer positions. We appreciate your kindness!