Pink Power - Battle to the Wire

October is the month to think PINK! There was a special buzz in the air last night as the Rideau Carleton Raceway and Casino, future home of Hard Rock, teamed up with the Canadian Cancer Society to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and support programs through the Pink Power Battle to the Wire event.

The feeling of success was already in the air even before the first post at 6:30 PM. Gary Macdonald, RCR’s very own horse trainer and driver, who has been touched by cancer in his family, has done a tremendous amount of work in organizing this event. After everything was said and done, there was more support for this event than he ever expected.

Debbie from the Canadian Cancer Society said to John Macmillan, “We are so grateful that Rideau Carleton Raceway approached us to do this event.” The bustling night raised approximately $12,000 from the many tickets sold for the Pink Power Battle to the Wire races, as well as from the silent auction and raffles held in the Rideau Carleton’s Clubhouse restaurant.

The night set off with 4 all-women races, with women from all over Ontario driving in to take part in this special event. Julie Walker, a driver from Hanover Raceway, told us “[cancer] has touched my family, and I think that something to do to bring awareness is always worth it.”  

One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and breast cancer is the leading cause of death, behind lung cancer, in women. Programs such as the Wheels of Hope, the Cancer Support Line, and various services help patients who cannot get to their treatments and therapies, people who are looking for support from their community and even women in the foster care system due to treatments. Debbie informs us that “money that is raised … goes right back into their community”.

In an interview with John Macmillan, Gary stated, “Everyone I contacted was very excited to come here this evening. They were 100% on board, and next year we may have 14 or 15 women drivers racing for the cause. We are looking forward to tonight being a great night, and next year being a continued success for us.”

A huge thank you goes out to the many sponsors, donors, and organizers for the events that took place last night: Brodeur Sulky and Peppin Harness; G.T. Enterprises; Brooks Feed; JML Tack Shop ; CIBC Findlay Creek Banking Centre; Russell Equine; Greenhawk Harness; Scalantes Salon & Barber Shop; Lindsay & Mccaffrey; Emerald Links / Anderson Links / Cloverdale Links; Home Hardware; Canadian Tire; Back on Track Physiotherapy; O’Farrell Financial; National Capital Region Harness Horse Association; and the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino, future home of Hard Rock.