TETWP was created by entrepreneur and
breast cancer survivor Terry Wheatley to bring the sport of
professional rodeo and the entire western community together
to rally against breast cancer. Since its inception in
2004, TETWP, together with Wrangler, empowered rodeos and
events in the U.S. and Canada to focus attention on the need
for a cure. To date, the campaign has raised $5 million
dollars for breast cancer charities, much of which stays
right in the community. The grassroots movement has
inspired other sports communities to mount their own TETWP
campaigns, spreading a message of hope and support that
reaches from a single idea to a nationwide movement “cowboy”
style.
My mother is a cancer survivor. She
was diagnosed with a rare from of cancer called Thymoma on
May 29, 2007. She was given a 50/50 chance of survival. I
stood with my family and watched as they loaded my mother
in an air evac helicopter and took off with her. When a
family member is diagnosed with the horrible disease of
cancer, their whole family is affected physically,
financially and mentally. That summer I was going to give up
my music because my mom would not be able to attend my shows
while she was going through her chemo treatments, surgery
and radiation treatments, and I didn’t want to be away from
her but she said “no, absolutely not” that she wanted me to
pursue my dream. On December 25, 2007, mom almost lost her
battle. She told me that prayer, listening to my music
and looking at pictures of my brother and I, got her
through.
I have accepted the challenge in
support of my mom to use my music to help raise awareness
and funds for the American Cancer Society. Unless you, a
family member or friend is a recipient of the services they
provide, you have no idea what a wonderful organization it
is. So I will be donating a portion of my merchandise sales
and collecting donations at all of my shows from now on.
You yourself can get involved by
participating in a local Relay for Life or donating blood
for cancer patients.
FACTS ABOUT BREAST CANCER:
*Over 180,000 women in the U.S. will
be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year.
*Over 40,000 women will die of breast
cancer in the U.S. this year.
*In her lifetime, 1 in 8 women will
be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
*Breast cancer is the second leading
cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
*2.4 million women living in the U.S.
have been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer.
*It is estimated that 1,990 men will
be diagnosed and 450 men will die of breast cancer this
year.
Travis
performing with his “Pink” guitar in support of his mom
provided by “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” and Wrangler.
Jack Bruce is 3 years old and has a rare
form of cancer. He is at St. Jude’s.
