For 101 years, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo has been celebrating the spirit of the wild west, and for the 13th year a group of volunteers will bring breast cancer awareness to the round up through Tucson Chicks n Chaps Behind the Chutes Rodeo Clinic & Fundraiser.
“I love this event. It is very unique. Not only do people get to learn about breast cancer, but they learn about the rodeo ... the lifestyle, the people, and the great American values behind it while gathering together to have fun,” said Christine Garza, chair of the clinic.
The distinctive educational fundraiser features demonstrations and workshops on rodeo events at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. 6th Ave.
Proceeds benefit the Arizona Foundation for Cancer, which provides cancer support programs and services to Arizona residents battling cancer.
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“We are a small but mighty foundation. We serve patients with breast cancer and other types of cancer and provide things they can’t get anywhere else. All of our programs and services are 100 percent free to cancer patients,” said Wendy Capullo, Executive Director for the the foundation.
The foundation addresses practical needs through free wigs, head coverings, prosthesis bras and breast forms—which routinely cost nearly $500 per prosthesis ($1,000 in the case of bilateral mastectomies) — as well as gas cards and assistance with hotel stays for those who must travel for treatments.
“Our wigs are free and it is so nice for people to be able to come in by appointment so we are totally focused on them. It is very private. Some people are very self-conscious and we make it fun. I have been here for almost six years and I have never had anyone walk out without a wig,” Capullo said.
The foundation also offers a range of integrative therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology, relaxation, reiki and massage including manual lymph drainage. Other programs include support groups and one-on-one nutrition counseling.
“We try to ease the heavy financial, physical and emotional burdens that come with cancer. When I started here we had an average of 40 to 50 new applications a month. Now we get 120 new applications every month, so we are providing services for 1,500 to 1,600 patients a year. We are a nonprofit and we run strictly on donations and the generosity of the public,” Capullo said.
Capullo is grateful to Garza and the many volunteers who bring Chicks n Chaps to fruition each year. The event has raised more than $159,000 for breast cancer support since inception.
“It is so much fun. They do such a great job and put so much work into and I think the word is really getting out. People enjoy going behind the scenes and learning about how the animals are taken care of and getting a feel for how the rodeo actually works,” Capullo said.
The cause is near and dear to Garza’s heart: Both her grandmother and great-grandmother battled breast cancer many years ago. She is certain that they could have benefitted from services and programs offered by the foundation if it had existed at the time.
“I think it is important that we go out into the community and help educate people, not only about breast cancer awareness, check-ups and prevention, but about resources that the foundation offers that they might not know are available to them,” Garza said.
The 40-year-old mother of three is happy to volunteer to help others and encourages everyone to support a cause that is personal to them.
“I think everyone should volunteer at some point in their life. You never know when you or someone you know might need services. If it were you, you would want there to be people available to you as a support system,” she said.
