MOSES LAKE — People tough enough to wear pink have the opportunity to purchase pink bandanas and beads before the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo Thursday night.

For the fourth year, the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation and Moses Lake Roundup working together at the Grant County Fair to host the event. The purpose is to raise money for breast cancer research, education, awareness, screening and treatment.

Tough Enough to Wear Pink starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The rodeo is Thursday through Saturday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. each night.

Foundation members  are also selling bandanas and beads for Wednesday, the night of the demolition derby, which runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  

“This event is important for breast cancer awareness,” said foundation director Mary Frederick. “It is the number one cancer women have — one in eight women will get it.”

The survival rate raised from 75 percent in 1975 to 90 percent in 2000. This means there is progress in treatment and cures, Frederick said.

Bandanas are $5 and beads are $3. Donations are accepted. A percentage of the proceeds from rodeo ticket sales go to the foundation, said roundup board member Tim Prickett.

“This is a great event to take part in because there are a lot of people dying from breast cancer,” Prickett said. “We need to find a cure. If we find a cure for one, it is more likely we will find a cure for others.”

The roundup and foundation members are releasing 200 pink balloons in the air at 7 p.m., before the rodeo.

“We do this to honor cancer survivors and remember those who have died from cancer,” said foundation board member Judy Trask.

This is the second year both entities released balloons.

“Last year was emotional because we were expressing memory and support,” Frederick said. “We wanted to have a ceremony to have a visual way to remember those we have lost.”

Tough Enough to Wear Pink is a national event endorsed by Wrangler Jeans. Many rodeos throughout the nation participate. A professional rodeo cowboy started it after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, said Prickett.

“Our rodeo association decided they wanted to be a part of it so they could something for our community,” Frederick said. “We have a very generous community that is very supportive.”

Wenatchee Valley Clinic raised $25,000 for the foundation, Prickett said.

 The foundation serves cancer patients going through treatment in Grant and Adams counties. Members encourage, support, provide information and help with costs for patients traveling for treatment, Frederick said.

It is separate from  national organizations such as American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. It is a non-profit organization relying on fund-raisers and donations.

“Cancer is devastating,” Frederick said. “We try to make patients’ journey a little easier.”

Tickets costs for the rodeo are $12 if purchased in advanced or $15 at the gate for adults. It is $5 for children nine and under.

Ticket costs for the derby are $15 for adults and $5 for children nine and under.

The Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation is located at 1418 S. Pioneer Way, Suite D.

For more information, call the foundation at 509-764-4644 or the Moses Lake Roundup at 509-765-6393.