Following in the footsteps of the world’s largest Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign, the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces has committed to helping raise awareness for breast cancer while simultaneously raising funds to create scholarships for middle school students.
Titled the “Return of the Pink Panther Costume and Charity Auction Bash,” the Halloween event will support the Hispano chamber’s Education Committee scholarship fund and raise money with a silent auction for the 2011 Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign .
“This is a great opportunity for us to reach out to the Hispanic community, and the community in general, to raise awareness for breast cancer, teach students at an early age about the disease, and raise money for two great causes at the same time,” said Toby Rue, chair of the chamber’s Education Committee. “We hope to continue this event in the future and make it one of the premier pink events in town.”
In June, the “pink ladies,” otherwise known as the Aggies Are Tough Enough to Wear Pink co-chairs Pat Sisbarro, Laura Conniff, Magellia Boston and Mary Henson, approached the chamber about forming a partnership to get the word out about breast cancer among Hispano chamber members and the community at large. From there, the chamber’s Education Committee designed the pink panther event in partnership with Las Cruces Public Schools and the Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign.
“We don’t think the Hispanic community talks as much as it probably should about breast cancer and other health problems related to cancer,” Conniff said. “This year, we really want to change that.”
During the first two years of the Tough Enough campaign, the program raised more than $1 million in cash and contributions. In 2008, along with Cowboys for Cancer Research, another local pink nonprofit, the pink campaign generated more than $800,000 in cash and contributions, earning the distinction of being the No. 1 Tough Enough to Wear Pink Campaign in the world.
The campaign began in 2007 when June Mumme, wife of former New Mexico State University football coach Hal Mumme, met with football officials to discuss dedicating a game to raise breast cancer awareness. She called three other women she knew were breast cancer survivors – Conniff, Boston and Sisbarro – who all agreed to serve as cochairs for the new fundraiser.
Since that meeting, dozens of community leaders from public schools, the university, the business community and the nonprofit sector have created their own spin-off events to help raise money for the pink campaign.
Some of these events include a pink fashion show luncheon, pink fun run and walk, high school football pink games, pink day at Las Cruces Public Schools and the painting of the letter “A” on Tortugas Mountain.
“It is amazing to see how a community of this size has rallied around such an important cause to raise money and awareness for one of the deadliest killers among women today,” Rue said. “The fact that our community shows this strength in uniting and organizing speaks volumes for the people of Las Cruces, and the chamber is proud to be a part of it.”
Even better, pink money raised in Las Cruces is used locally and regionally.
“Thanks to generous support of our sponsors, community philanthropists and countless community members, 100 percent of the money we raise stays in New Mexico and funds cancer research at both UNM and New Mexico State University,” Sisbarro said.
The chamber is still looking for additional support and sponsors for its costume and charity bash, to take place from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Oct. 29, at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. To make a contribution or learn how you can help, call 532-9255.
