Pull out the pink

MONTROSE  — Dust off those running shoes and pull out the pink, it’s time for Montrose’s annual Bosom Buddies’ “One Step Closer to Help and Hope” silent auction and walk/run.

The 17th annual breast cancer awareness weekend starts tonight at the Holiday Inn Express with a silent auction, food, cash bar and music from 6 to 9 p.m.

Participants can bid on an array of items, some larger ones include a Park City, Utah ski condo, Broncos tickets, NASCAR in Las Vegas and Denver theatre packages, along with a “beautiful” quilt by the San Juan Quilters, said Francie Smiles, striving survivor of Bosom Buddies.

Friday’s event also has an old fashion picture booth to go along with the event’s cowboy theme. Stick horses crafted by Bosom Buddies members will also be up for auction, Smiles said.

On Saturday morning, everyone is invited, including dogs, to the Montrose Pavilion to participate in the walk/run presented by Montrose Memorial Hospital. Registration is $25 and starts at 8 a.m., with the walk/run beginning at 9 a.m. Registration includes a bag of cancer supporting goodies and a long-sleeve chocolate brown and pink shirt.

“It’s amazing the people that help us put this event on each year,” Smiles said. “If you look at the back of the shirt and see the people that support this cause and these people, you just have to be thankful for living in Montrose.”

Last year’s walk/run had 900 participants. Each year has grown and Smiles is hoping the same for this year.

The weekend event raised $60,000 last year, all of which stays in the community to support early detection and treatment costs.

“We’ve never set a goal, but have always increased it. So, we would like to increase that amount this year, but understand times are hard,” Smiles said.

One of the group’s biggest supporters is the Montrose High School volleyball team, who on Tuesday raised money for the support group at their volleyball match. The teams, along with the crowd, all dressed in pink.

“It’s not just those affected, these are kids that care,” Smiles said. “It is just wonderful that the community supports Bosom Buddies as much as they do. We couldn’t do it without this community, from the young kids to those of all ages.”

Bosom Buddies was started 20 years ago as a support group and continues to meet every Wednesday at noon at 645 S. Fifth St. in Montrose.

For more information, contact Francie Smiles at 252-2814 or visit www.boombuddiesswc.org.

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