Bridging the gap in the fight against cancer
<p>Volunteers with the Chicks n’ Chaps benefit rodeo clinic donated $11,154 to Kootenai Health Foundation to support cancer patients. Back, from left: Kim Edmondson, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office; Diana Lillefloren, Idaho Lowline Cattle Co.; Ann Siebert, Chicks n’ Chaps co-chair; Leza Wright, Umpqua Bank. Front from left: Karen Lynch, Allegra Printing; Shawn Bassham, Kootenai Health Foundation President; Denise Rosen, North Idaho Fair Foundation; Melanie Goularte, HomeStyle Lighting; Mary Larson, Chicks n’ Chaps co-chair; Tolli Willhite, Kootenai Clinic Cancer Ser…
Chicks n’ Chaps, a women’s rodeo clinic with a cause, recently donated $11,154 to benefit cancer patients in Kootenai County.
The group held its seventh annual all-women rodeo clinic
at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds last summer. Participants learned about bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and barrel racing from real cowboys and cowgirls. As a spin-off event of Tough Enough to Wear Pink, Chicks n’ Chaps also raises awareness about breast cancer by educating participants about breast health.
“We are proud to donate all money raised to two local charities: The Fair Foundation and the Kootenai Health Foundation,” said Mary Larson, Chicks n’ Chaps event co-chair.
The money gifted to Kootenai Health Foundation goes to help local breast cancer patients through the Cancer Patient Support Fund. The fund helps bridge the gap of cancer patients' financial burdens by assisting them with everyday living expenses such as groceries, gas, rent, prescription co-pays, and pharmacy expenses.
“These funds provide so much more than financial assistance. They provide peace of mind that with the gas voucher they will arrive to their next appointment, and with the grocery store gift card they will have food on the table for their family,” said Tolli Willhite, Kootenai Clinic Cancer Services community relations outreach coordinator. “These funds help ensure that patients receive the potentially life-saving treatment they deserve.”
“It is our sincere belief that with our collaboration with the Kootenai Health Foundation and the generous donations from our community at events like Chicks n’ Chaps, we’re giving folks the assistance they need to stay on course with their treatment and focus on the battle of fighting their diagnosis. On behalf of our patients, social workers, providers and staff, we’re forever grateful for the generosity of this great community,” Willhite said.