The Cowboys for Cancer Research team roping event weekend http://cowboysforcancerresearch.org

2007 Drive to fight cancer raised $450,000

Their combined efforts led to a record-setting $450,000 raised locally in cash and in-kind donations, all earmarked for cancer research. The 25th annual Cowboys for Cancer Research event in October, combined with the NMSU Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink fundraiser, netted more than $350,000 in cash and another $100,000 of in-kind donations for cancer research, organizers said.

"It's very impressive," said Cowboys for Cancer Research co-chairman Denny Calhoun. "We are exceptionally proud. The thing that amazed us is the entire community seemed to be involved.

"Someone at one of the functions said it's like a feeding frenzy, with people asking how they can help," he said. "That's an enviable position to be in."

Calhoun said this year's fundraiser not only eclipsed the 2006 total of roughly $140,000, but shattered all local fundraising records in the 25-year history of the event.

The Cowboys for Cancer Research roping, auction and dinner-dance raised $180,000 in cash and in-kind contributions. The Tough Enough to Wear Pink effort - which saw Aggie football players and fans don pink to support breast cancer research - raised $274,000, Calhoun said.

His co-chairwoman, Geraldine Calhoun, said she didn't want to jinx next year's effort, but organizers are setting the bar a little higher.

"If we can say $500,000, that would be good," she said.

The cash raised will go to the Cowboys for Cancer Research Alma Cohorn Endowment at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center. That endowment spins interest earnings back into the community without touching the principal investment.

The spendable money from the endowment is directed to cancer research at New Mexico State University, Calhoun said.

"Our direction has been to send this money back to Las Cruces, to New Mexico State University, to fund this ongoing, very, very important cancer research," he said. "We're excited about that and we're thrilled to be a part of it. I think this is one reason people have become more receptive (to contributing). This money isn't going away."

2006 Cowboys for Cancer Research breaks the $140,000 mark!

In a weekend of roping, dancing, laughing and working, the Cowboys for Cancer Research have gone over the top and raised more than $140,000 for cancer research programs and patient assistance at the UNM Cancer Center. The March 11th, 2006 weekend of events in Las Cruces kicked off with a dinner dance at Dickerson’s Event Center with well-known speaker and futurist Dr. Lowell Catlett of NMSU. Entertainment was provided by Ted Scanlon and the Desperados. Over 1,500 teams participated in the two day roping event (the largest in New Mexico) held at the Calhoun Arena. The event was started in 1983 in memory of Alma Cohorn, who was from a local ranching family and died of breast cancer. Thanks to funds raised by Cowboys for Cancer Research, the UNM Cancer Center is able to support research like the GPR-30 estrogen receptor project featured on page 24. Their friendship has also been instrumental in our efforts to open our first cancer clinic in Southern New Mexico this fall, featured on page 10. Our heartfelt thanks goes to everyone involved in this year’s event – we’re much obliged for your incredible dedication and support!

Keynote by Dr. Lowell Catlett. Music by the Delk Band.

You can still show your support! The COWBOYS FOR CANCER RESEARCH LICENSE PLATES are for sale at the joint clinic desk. They’re $10. 2005 Cowboys for Cancer Research Pictures

2004 HSC Cowboys for Cancer Research Feature Story.

Roping