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CIBOLA COUNTY Three representatives from the Grants Rodeo Association proudly presented a check to Cibola General Hospital for 2,500 dollars. The funds were raised by the rodeo association through the nationwide Tough Enough to Wear Pink effort during the Fourth of July and Fire and Ice Bike Rally. Approximately 2,000 dollars was raised during the Fourth of July while 500 dollars was raised during the bike rally.

BEACON,JARAMILLO With big checks totaling 2,500 dollars, from left, are Cibola General Hospital Director of Radiology Teri Smith, CGH Board President Ida Chavez, Grants MainStreet Board President, Vice-President and Director, Delores Vallejos, Bob Clark and Randy Hoffman, Grants Rodeo Association members Trudy Dean, Dominic Moleres and Norene Canada and hospital CEO Mike Makosky.

We are just glad we can help, said Dominic Moleres, a member of the rodeo association. Joining Moleres were longtime cowgirls Norene Canada and Trudy Dean.

The association chose to follow the nationwide rodeo effort as one of its own members was diagnosed with cancer that ultimately took his life.

When it took one of our own the Tough Enough to Wear Pink effort meant that much more, said Canada. He was a precious member of the organization. In honor of him, we are glad we can help others that could ultimately fight the same battle he fought.

An average mammogram costs about 240 dollars. If that is the case, the association can help pay for about 11 tests. However, Teri Smith, CGHs director of radiology, said, We will more than likely discount the tests these funds will pay for so I would be willing to say the donation will pay for about 25 tests. This is a significant donation.

Cibola General Hospital averages 100 mammogram tests a month. We even get people from Gallup, added Smith.  We have other funds available to help those who cannot afford to pay for the test. These funds donated from association will be used if those funds cannot be used.

About Tough Enough to Wear Pink

Tough Enough To Wear Pink is a grassroots cowboy campaign that has been fighting breast cancer since 2004. This year, the group would like to raise the bar to 9 million dollars as it raised approximately 7.5 million last year.
By Donald Jaramillo
Beacon Managing Editor
Published Monday, August 15, 2011