Who We Are

We are volunteers working under the auspices of Cowboys for Cancer Research, a 501C3 corporation in Las Cruces, New Mexico. We work with the administration and athletic department of New Mexico State University and Las Cruces, NM, community leaders and philanthropists to raise breast cancer awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

Our Story

Inspired by Wrangler Jean's "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" breast cancer awareness program, four breast cancer survivors successfully moved TETWP from the rodeo arena to a 2007 NCAA football game at New Mexico State University. In the process, the volunteer committee generated more than $284,279 in cash and in-kind contributions, a record setting among for such an event in the country.

Where the Money Goes

The proceeds generated by TETWP event are used to fund breast cancer and women's cancer research project, conducted by New Mexico State University Department of Chemistry and Biology and UNM Cancer Center though "Cowboys For Cancer Research." This unique, and powerful relationship between a state university, a charitable organization, the Las Cruces community and medical research gained national attention from the NCAA, ESPN, and the WAC.

Our TETWP Co-Chairs

June Mumme

June Mumme is a cancer survivor. She is also wife to NMSU Aggie football coach Hal, mother to Matt, Karen and Leslie, and grandmother to Lawson. June is a graduate of Iowa Wesleyan College, a published author, and currently serves as the Community Development Director of the Las Cruces PET/CT Imaging Center. June has lived in six states and eleven cities, and she's done much of this during the 33 years she has been married to Hal. She is a strong, resilient and resourceful woman. Never did she need that strength and resiliency more than when she was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago. She brought all those great characteristics to her newest role as founder and one of the four honorary chairwomen of the "NMSU Aggies ARE Tough Enough To Wear Pink" event. After attending the NMSU rodeo team's Tough Enough to Wear Pink event in April and talking openly with Denny and Geraldine Calhoun of Cowboys for Cancer Research, June said she was inspired to dedicate a football game to breast cancer awareness. She met with New Mexico State University officials in May and she said it was the university's decision to extend the initiative beyond a football game and into the NMSU Aggies ARE Tough Enough to Wear Pink fund-raising campaign. Are YOU tough enough? June says Coach Hal Mumme is tough enough, and the support he has given her and this event has been crucial to its success.

 

Laura Conniff

Laura Mathers Conniff was born in Illinois, but she's a New Mexico woman through and through. She moved to Cruces in 1965, but anyone who knows her knows she's really a Las Cruces native at heart. Laura is a REALTOR®, qualifying broker, and owner of Mathers Realty. She is chair of the Board of Regents of NMSU, a member of the First National Bank Board of Directors, founding members of the board of directors for the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, and a member of the Hospice board. Her awards from NMSU are numerous: NMSU College of Business Hall of Fame Inductee, Distinguished Alumna of NMSU College of Business Administration and Economics, Branding Iron Award, and the James Cole Memorial Award for Service. Laura's husband John is a pediatric dentist. She has two children and one granddaughter. Family and service has always been at the forefront of what Laura does. And as honorary co-chair of Aggies ARE Tough Enough to Wear Pink, she may have found her most impassioned role. Her dedication to NMSU and her own experience with breast cancer make Laura a perfect fit for this wonderful event. Laura was diagnosed with Cancer in January 1997. Laura already had a role model in whose steps she would follow. Laura's mother, Mary Mathers Welch, had been diagnosed with cancer several years before. Both strong women, Mary and Laura survived their cancer, and their survival brings open to all those who may face this same disease at some point in their own lives. With its strong genetic characteristic, both Laura and Mary know that Laura's daughter, Sarah, may be especially vulnerable to the disease also. So they, like many others in the Aggie community, give of their time and experience in this fight against breast cancer. Will you join them at the Aggies ARE Tough Enough to Wear Pink event?

 

Pat Sisbarro

Pat Sisbarro moved to Las Cruces in 1981. Our town has not been the same since. Married to Lou Sisbarro, Pat has raised their three children Louis, (Chip), Daniel, and daughter Nicole Ikard and played an active part in the life of their seven grandchildren. Pat is vice president and director of marketing for the Sisbarro car dealerships, and she has long been an active community member and Aggie supporter. Now Pat brings her energy and expertise to an event close to her heart. As a breast cancer survivor herself, Pat understands the importance of education, fund-raising and awareness when it comes to fighting this disease. She says that "No one is prepared to hear their own name in the same sentence as the words 'breast cancer,' and when you do the fear is overwhelming." With the support of her husband, her family, her friends, and even strangers, Pat says she has learned to overcome that feeling of being overwhelmed and she has learned what it means to be a survivor. As honorary co-chair of the "Aggies ARE Tough Enough to Wear Pink" event, you can be sure that you will see the earmarks of Pat's work. Sisbarro said she decided to be co-chair, not just because it supported breast cancer research, but because of the scope and potential of the entire initiative. "There are a lot of benefits, and we're all volunteers so all the money goes to the cause." You've seen Pat and Lou at hundreds of NMSU events. Now come and see them dressed in pink as they help lead the battle against breast cancer in Las Cruces and Aggieland.

 

Magellia Boston

Magellia McIntyre Boston is a dynamic self-avowed optimist who believes we can always face whatever comes at us with courage and grace. So, in 1998, when faced with the knowledge that she had breast cancer, Magellia gathered her friends for a party - one where she could educate them about this disease. Magellia's husband, McKinley Boston, the athletic director for NMSU, stood by her side as she reached out to others so they could learn from her experience. "I told them it was important for them to check themselves," she said. "You can't catch it any earlier than they caught mine." It was also important for her to maintain a sense of humor. "If I can't laugh or find something inspirational, I'll be kind of in the dumps," she said. "That's not even my thing." She brings that sense of humor and optimism to the board as honorary co-chair for the Aggies ARE Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign. "Breast cancer awareness will be out there for real now that athletes are involved," she said. "If only one out of 100,000 people take the initiative, then I would be very pleased." Magellia's involvement seems a natural outgrowth for this strong woman who learned about breast cancer in the most personal way. Just ask any of her two children, her five grandchildren, or her husband how strong she is, and they'll tell you she's definitely tough enough to wear pink. Here grandchildren call her "Sugie." You'll just call her "tough."