01-05-2025
How bulls are helping 'Buck Cancer'
CANTON, S.D. (KELO) — Bulls and calves will be on display Saturday near Canton, with each animal playing a part in the fight against cancer.
The bulls are out for a stroll at Raise Em' Rank Ranch north of Canton, where owner Dillon Swanson is preparing for the third annual Buck Cancer event.
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'We've got somewhere around 80 head of calves that we're going to buck with no riders, they're going to compete amongst themselves just on their athletic ability and how hard they want to be a bucking bull someday,' Raise Em' Rank Rodeo owner Dillon Swanson said.
While the evening session will feature riders competing for buckles, the event is geared toward stock contractors with a portion of each entry fee benefiting a family in need.
'Every year, we are just going to commit to donating this to local families going through some form of cancer,' Swanson said. 'We've got some picked out for this year, we're pretty excited about handing them a check next week,' Swanson added.
Buck Cancer got its start in 2023 after Swanson was diagnosed with cancer.
'When I got diagnosed with testicular cancer, I had to have some surgeries and chemo in the spring, which really set back our rodeo season and made that whole year tough to get through,' Swanson said.
'This event means the world to me,' Buck Cancer Producer Travis Garrett said.
Travis Garrett organized the very first Buck Cancer to benefit Swanson. A year later, it was his dad battling cancer.
'Made me feel great to be able to help out a friend and then help out my dad when he was going through cancer, and then I'm just excited to be able to help everybody else,' Garrett said.
It's all in an attempt to buck cancer one family at a time.
'I like helping out people who need it the most,' Garrett said.
Swanson says he's good health-wise but still gets an annual check-up.
The 'Buck Cancer' Calf Battle will start at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, followed by Bull Team event at Raise Em' Rank Ranch north of Canton. If you'd like to support the cause, click HERE for contact information.
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