2017 Rancheros Visitadores — Ride for a Cure
May 6, 2017 – 3:30 pm from Solvang to Mission Santa Ines.
Wrangle up the family, wear some pink, and join over 750 Rancheros Visitadores on horseback as they parade in pink through downtown Solvang to Old Mission Santa Ines.
On Saturday, May 6 at 3:30pm, over 750 Rancheros Visitadores from 37 states and 6 countries will convene to parade in pink on horseback and carriages along Alisal Road through downtown Solvang to Old Mission Santa Ines. For the sixth year in a row, the Rancheros Visitadores have chosen to partner with Wrangler Jeans and the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Foundation to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer patients throughout Santa Barbara County. Those who support the cause of finding a cure for breast cancer, and those who enjoy a colorful equestrian event are encouraged to save the date for this inspirational affair.
Through the Rancheros’ efforts, over $500,000 has been contributed to the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara in support of local breast cancer programs at the Cancer Center. These programs include: clinical research trials, wellness classes and support programs, hereditary cancer risk counseling, nurse navigation, and lymphedema education and screening. These services are available to all breast cancer patients who reside in Santa Barbara County regardless of where they receive treatment or their ability to pay.
“The Rancheros have been returning to Santa Barbara County and the Santa Ynez Valley for 86 years. Though our members come from far and wide, this is the Rancheros’ home, and we have found a cause we believe in. We understand it is important to give back to the community we return to year after year,” explains Ranchero Steve Beneto. “Our goal was to raise $100,000 again this year, and we’ve surpassed it. The response to our appeal has been fantastic as we continue our support of the Cancer Center and their excellent care of breast cancer patients and their families on the central coast.”
“We are honored by the Rancheros’ outstanding support since 2012,” said Rob Dunton, Director of Philanthropy at the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara with Sansum Clinic. “The river of pink shirts was a delightful surprise the first time they decided to partner with the Tough Enough To Wear Pink group back in 2012. Each year since, more and more onlookers are wearing pink also – it is a vibrant, powerful, emotional experience. We are indebted to the Rancheros for their part in ensuring all aspects of our patient’s physical, mental and psychological needs are tended to throughout treatment, recovery and survivorship, all while doing our part to help find a cure.”
Within a mile of Rancheros’ parade route resides the Cancer Center’s Solvang office (2040 Viborg Rd #140, Solvang) which provides Santa Ynez residents with access to Cancer Center of Santa Barbara’s cancer doctors who have studied, worked and taught in the finest cancer centers in the world, including Harvard, Sloan-Kettering, UCLA and the National Institutes of Health. The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara now offers oncology appointments in Lompoc (1225 N. H Street, Lompoc), and is opening a new world-class regional center in September of 2017 in Santa Barbara that will bring enhanced technology, genetic testing, immunotherapy and enhanced collaboration to the region.
