Another one bites the dust.

That’s it for 2015.  The last of the cheques have finally straggled in. I’ve counted every penny … once … twice … three times, just to be sure. Then I added in money from the Pinkest Little Show ‘n’ Shine and CFR and yesterday I met with Alberta Cancer Foundation to give them our donation.

It was a squeaker … but we made it!

After seven years in the saddle, we have cracked the $800,000 mark! Our total now sits at $804,532.31!

Not only that, but we are now donating to breast cancer research in all four of the western provinces! BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. (I remember when I put that on our business cards. Rusty said, “A tad ambitious, isn’t it, Mother?” *grin* What’s life without goals?) Presently, the cheques to BC and Manitoba are just little guys, but we’ll fix that one day!

So, throw your pink cowboy hats in the air and take a bow, Pinksters! Together, we did it!  $804,532.31 for breast cancer research.

 

Dateline: August 28th – Spruce Grove

This was the day our riders were to ride Chickakoo (pronounced “Chi-KA-koo”) … but the consensus was that 20 days on the trail had taken its toll, and given their choice, they’d all like to take the day off.  Fine by me! We were set to stay at the Stony Plain Kinsmen’s Rodeo Grounds, but our riders pointed out that it would be nicer to get over to St Albert and stay put for a couple of nights.  Everybody agreed, so off they went to chill in St Albert while I headed for Spruce Grove.

Nobody in Stony Plain and nobody in Spruce Grove wanted to do anything for Wild Pink Yonder.  Sad, but true. I canvassed the town administrations, their service clubs, their horse facilities … everybody I could think of … to no avail … so instead, we did our own thing!  There’s a Peavey Mart in Spruce Grove and Peavey is our biggest, most invested, sponsor, so we had “The Pinkest Little Show ‘n Shine in the West” at the Peavey Mart in Spruce Grove.

What a great little idea that turned out to be! Oh, sure, we had a few little glitches (like the wrong phone number on the poster when we were looking for participants *blush*), but we got everything straightened out in the long run and away we went.  There were a lot of really cool vehicles there.  Initially we thought we could only handle about 35 or 40 cars.  Then we decided we could maybe do more.  In the long run, we had 38 vehicles, which was a nice number for the size of the parking lot. Probably the funniest vehicle was the trike.  Its handlebars were set “chopper” style (like in the old movie Easy Rider).  Behind the trike was a trailer.  On the trailer were two large whiskey barrels set on their sides with a smaller barrel set on top of them.  Each barrel had a hole in the top side … and each hole had a dog sticking out of it!  A live dog! In the big barrels there were bulldogs.  In the little barrel was a Shih Tzu.  In front of each dog there was a windshield — a mini version of what you’d see on the front of a motorcycle.  It was hysterical. They didn’t win any prizes because they didn’t register for our event, but they were pretty funny, and had they registered, I’m sure they’d have won People’s Choice.

We had four prizes.  One for the People’s Choice vehicle.  One for the Vehicle Driven the Furthest to get here. One for the vehicle that Raised the Most Pledge Money for breast cancer research. And one prize that people didn’t expect — a random draw from amongst the people who did the voting.  The event started with registration at 2:30.  The judging started at 4:00 and ended at 8:00.  I think everybody had a good time. I know I did … and I know we’ll have more of these Pinkest Little Show ‘n Shines in the future.  (Maybe add some old time music?  Maybe a dance floor?  Too bad Dick Clark ‘s not still around!)

Look out, Peavey Mart!  We’re going to take over your parking lots!

 

 

Dateline: August 27th – Evansburg

We got very busy toward the end of the tour and I got behind in my posting (again) … and then I got home and lost my mojo.  But I’m back, and I want to tell you about the rest of the tour.

Evansburg was lovely.  They decorated the town and they’ve raised money (though at this writing I have no idea how much).  When we arrived, the first thing was that our riders went for their daily ride.  It was a little north of town on Riverwood Ranch with the Greenwoods (Megan and her father, Bruce).  I was surprised to hear it later, but our Bushwackers (the riders who like to go hard) told me that of all the rides they’ve done on this tour, this one was the most challenging.  More challenging than Ya Ha Tinda.  More challenging than Waterton or Pincher Creek or Crowsnest Pass!  More challenging than Sandy McNabb or Cadomin!  And they loved it!  Who’da thunk it?  Top quality trails … challenging trails … fantastic scenery along the banks of the Pembina River … and all this just a stone’s throw from Edmonton! So if you are looking for a great ride in the Edmonton area, please call Riverwood Ranch.  I’m sure they’d love to accommodate you. (And they’ll even rent a horse to your horseless friends so they can join you too!)

When the ride was over, we paraded all through town and many Evansburgites (Evansburgers? *grin*) came out to see us.  I didn’t get to drive my Fjords very often on this tour, so I really enjoyed this day (plus, Evansburg used to be the closest stores to us when we lived in Seba Beach).  We went by the old folks home, which is always so heartwarming. They were all outside and very happy to see all the horses and the pink on the riders.

Then Evansburg had a family barbecue at the arena.  I think the entire town showed up!  It certainly was impressive for a town so small.  Thank you, Evansburg … and good luck in the Pinkest Little Town in the West contest.

Dateline: August 25th – Wildwood

Whoa, Nellie!  I thought we were in a two-way fight for Pinkest Little Town in the West.  No, sir.  No, siree!  Wildwood definitely has the will to win!

I was overwhelmed by their pink spirit.  (Their literal pinkness was pretty amazing too.)  But the spirit.  It was there in spades.  What a great bunch of people!

Our visit started with a parade that took us through the town.  Everybody was out to see us and to wave. Talk about pink!  It was amazing.  Then Charlene Callioux took the riders on a great ride at her place (Go Hard Ranch) along the shores of Chip Lake. How do I know it was great? Every rider said so!  Thanks, Charlene.

Once that was over, the riders came back and cleaned up to go to dinner.  I think everybody in town was there! And the music was fab.

The place was packed.  It was a chili dinner with all the fixings … and a pink breast cancer ribbon cake to boot! After dinner I got up and told them about “our” project (taxane-resistance) and how their money would help us reach the $1.3 million needed to pull this research project off. They are all on board.

You should have seen their arena at breakfast. I have pictures, but apparently technology strikes again. I don’t know how to get them to a place where I can access them for the blog.  (Sorry ’bout that.) But they had bales out front all decked out in pink. The walls were decked in pink.  There were pink signs and memorials everywhere.  We had pancakes with strawberries and pink whipped cream, and sausages.  It was the pinkest breakfast so far.

And when we were ready to leave town, Frank, the owner of 2 for 1 Pizza set us up with enough pizza for a week! (Yes, we have a number of people who love cold pizza on this tour!)

We all know that I am not one of the Pinkification Judges, so my opinion doesn’t count — but Wildwood sure was pink!

 

 

This Year We Ride for Something Specific!

Every other year, Wild Pink Yonder has ridden for the Alberta Cancer Foundation with the proviso that our money is used for breast cancer research.  I think it’s safe to say all of us have been good with that. But this year, Alberta Cancer Foundation asked if we’d like to ride for a specific research grant.  Here’s the scoop.

Every day six Albertans are diagnosed with breast cancer. (Horrendous, isn’t it?) Many will receive a chemotherapy treatment called”taxane”.  Taxane is an effective drug that can improve cancer survival — but there’s a catch. It only works about half the time.

Around the world, thousands of patients receive this treatment, yet less than 50 per cent respond favourably to it. The other half of the patients are taxane-resistant, but they won’t know it until the treatment is over, which means squandering precious time that could have been used to explore other treatments. Worse yet, that means every year hundreds of Albertans will undergo this unnecessary (if it’s unsuccessful)  treatment and be faced with long-lasting and harsh side effects.  What kind of side effects? Fatigue, immune system suppression, hair loss and peripheral nerve damage.

Enter two researchers here in Alberta (our old friend, Dr John Mackey from The Cross and Dr Ing Swie Goping from the U of A) who want to identify the biomarkers that would clinically predict sensitivity to chemotherapy. Dr Goping already garnered attention in the world of cancer research when she discovered that a protein, called “BAD” for short, made cancer cells more sensitive to taxane chemotherapy.  Her team believes that the higher the levels of BAD protein in the tumour, the better chance the patient has of responding favourably.  If she’s right, it will mark the first-ever predictive biomarker for taxane chemotherapy!

That is what they want us to help fund!  They need $1.3 million.  Riders, towns and sponsors — we need to reach higher in our fundraising.  Let’s give ‘er!

Have We Got Prizes for You!

I said I’d give you the list of prizes as soon as I had it.  I don’t think this is a complete list, but it’s a good start!  We’ve got things that will appeal to just about everybody!  Lookie …

1. Set of two very cool rustic log rocking chairs for your front porch.  Value $320.
2. Mini gas cultivator for your garden.  Value $200.
3. Portable Generator Power Switch so your gen set can keep the house going during a power failure.  Value $340.
4. Cajun Injector Electric Smoker.  Value $360.
5. Patio Heater.  Value $200.
6. Hamilton Beach Pizza Maker.  Value $73.
7. Black & Decker 40 Amp Battery Charger.  Value $220
8. Lund Bed Step so you can step up and reach into the truck box.  Value $260.
9. 2,000 psi Pressure Washer
10. Horse Cooler Blanket from Greenhawk, Grande Prairie.  Value $80.
11. Blingy Bridle and Breastcollar from Horse Effects Horse Supplies.  Value $150
12. Patio Cooler.  Value $180
13. Western Wall hanging.  Value $35
14. Set of two Zero Gravity Chairs.  Value $260
15. Metal Saddle Rack.  Value $35
16. Electronic Insect Killer.  Value $106.
17. Breast Collar with pink stitching.  Value
18. DuraTote Stool.  Value
19. Webber Charcoal Camping BBQ.
20. Propane Camping BBQ
21. Camping Pot – small.  Value
22. Camping Pot – large.  Value

I think we’ll give prizes to the top ten (fifteen?) and then use the rest for things like top money raiser at a Pink-a-Palooza.

But the thing is, to get in on these prizes, you have to raise more than your daily minimum.  (Wouldn’t you love #8 — the Lund Bed Step?  I might kill for that!)  Top money raiser will choose one of these prizes first.  Then we’ll work our way down the line.

EEK!  The excitement!

Would You Like to be on a Wild Pink Yonder Volunteer Committee?

At my last meeting with Alberta Cancer Foundation they indicated that in their opinion Wild Pink Yonder would do better (financially) if it had a volunteer committee that works on finding corporate sponsorship. They (as I) think that it would be awesome if all our costs were covered corporately so that 100% of the money raised in towns can go directly to ACF — as does your rider money now.

If we do this, this committee would not be one that gets together for coffee. It would be a committee that meets on the phone from time to time, or through “Messages” … or some other convenient way of getting together without traveling. The rest of the time, the individual members would be reaching out to those corporate contacts they have in their areas, or literally beating the bush looking for corporate sponsorship for the ride.

And then, I thought, gee, wouldn’t it be great if we had someone who’s a whizz at finding grants?  We could sure use a replacement for the grant we used to get and which no longer exists!

These are all things that Rusty and I have done between us in the past.  We haven’t done a bad job of it … but there are just so many things that need doing throughout the fall, winter and spring that we haven’t hit as many as we’d like.  So now that Rusty has gone off to make his fortune at Integra, all of this falls solely on my shoulders.

At this time I am working on two potential sponsors that could be huge … but who knows if they will land? And the ACF points out to me that many fundraisers get along well with (many) smaller sponsors … ones who donate $500 or $1,000, rather than the whoppers that I go after.  (I justify going after the big ones because I only have so much time for going after any, so I might as well make it the biggies. *grin*)

As I think back over time, I remember when we needed a small trailer to use as “Pinky’s Dry Goods Store”.  Where on earth could we find one at a cost we could afford?  (Basically, free.)  I didn’t think it could happen … and then along came Cheryl Peressini.  She found a dealer in her neighbourhood who donated a brand spanking new trailer — free!  And then another rider, Sandra Coombe, found a company that donated painting the trailer and putting our logo on both sides!  Amazing!

It’s that kind of can-do attitude we need.  People who either know people, or have the creativity to get companies on-side. Only this time, it’s for money — money that will hopefully cover all the expenses I told you about in a previous blog.  (Okay, fine.  If a company wants to donate a couple of one-ton dually trucks for the month of August, we’d take that too — in a heartbeat! *grin*)

If we’re going to do this, we need members in all quadrants of the province.  If you’re interested, of if you want to discuss it with me further, or you want to make another suggestion, please send me an email at Jane@WildPinkYonder.com.  (Don’t phone me.  I’m in the USA right now and it’ll cost me a fortune.)  Thanks.

Let me tell you about Hughie

He’s our winner in the fundraising by riders contest.  He outgunned the other riders by well over a thousand dollars.  He had the minimum he needed to Longride by the time Fandango came around, but he didn’t stop fundraising then.  It seems that in every town we visited, Hughie knew someone.  Either he phoned them or they simply showed up … and every one of them donated something.

Hughie is also the oldest Longrider we’ve ever had.  He’s 76 years young, and I do mean young!  That man outworked a lot of whippersnappers half his age!  He was always ready with a helping hand.  He has the cutest little sense of humour … and he rides that big Tennessee Walking Horse like the pro he is.  (It’s a lot of horse … but it’s not as much horse as Hughie is rider!)  If I ever thought I might be getting too old for this job, Hughie has convinced me that I’ve got a lot of productive years left!

Hughie had his choice of prizes for being the top earner, and he’s chosen the propane barbecue.  I’ll deliver it next time we get together.

I don’t know if anyone got a picture of it, but one day when it was hot, I nearly peed my pants.  There was Hughie on his horse … making a fashion statement in his plaid Bermuda shorts, sandals, long grey wool socks (like you would) … and his chaps!  *grin*  Oh, yeah … and his battered up leather cowboy hat.

Every night, while the rest of us made ourselves comfortable in our motorhomes, LQ trailers and such, Hughie would set up his cot … in his stock trailer.  It was comfortable enough for him (though not for his wife, who was going to come along until she learned she’d be sleeping in “that smelly old stock trailer”).

Our Hughie is a character without even realizing it.  More than just a character, he’s an endearing character … and I think I’ve got him interested in riding again next summer.  I know for certain that all the women who rode this year will cheer when they read this.  I think the men will as well.  And I know that Hughie’s benefactor in Lloydminster (the one who donated $550 to get Hughie up to minimum for Longriding) is ready and willing to sponsor him again.  Our Hughie is that popular.

 

 

Today 43 Albertans will hear the words, “You have cancer”. Let’s change that.

That is a slogan used by Alberta Cancer Foundation, and at Wild Pink Yonder we couldn’t agree more.  Let’s change that.

I remember the day I heard the words, “You have cancer”.  My heart froze.  I couldn’t think of anything other than the fact that I’d not had a mammogram for four years (because of severe mobility issues) and I was sure that, essentially, I’d killed myself.  One never forgets a moment like that.  One never wants to live it again.

And so, here we are … five years of riding and $633,000 later.  What have we got?  Well, we’ve got Dr John Mackey and his team — and that’s huge.  They worked on a clinical trial that proved the drug Herceptin improved survival rates after breast cancer surgery.  Then Dr Mackey and his team were able to prove that the probability of breast cancer reoccurrence decreased by 30% because of that research, which spurred Health Canada to approve the drug in this country.  Their findings changed standard practice in Alberta and beyond.  More than 130 women treated in Alberta are now alive because of Dr Mackey’s clinical trial research.

We helped with that — you and me — simply by riding our horses through pinkified towns — or by being one of those pinkified towns.

130 Alberta women alive and well because of Herceptin research.  Maybe you know one of them.  But it isn’t about just Herceptin.  There’s a lot more research out there either being done right now, or waiting for the funding necessary to get started.  That’s where we come in.

How many more miles will it take until Dr Mackey can tell us, “We’ve changed that”?

How far are you willing to go?

Fundraising idea #2

Today’s fundraising idea is easy!

Go speak with your local service station, Peavey Mart, shopping mall — or any other place people congregate in your neighbourhood — and ask if you can put out a barrel into which people can discard their bottles and cans.

If you do this, though, make sure that the barrel you put out is nice and clean and shiny … and that you check it regularly so that it doesn’t ever become overflowing and an eyesore for the business that let you place it there.  It is also beneficial to put a nicely computer-designed poster up that tells people that their donations will go toward breast cancer research as directed by Alberta Cancer Foundation.

If you have any ideas that you’d like me to share with other riders, please drop me a line and I’ll do a blog spot about your idea too.