It is called Mission 2012 with the first Mission having taken place in 2001. Prairie Women On Snowmobiles (PWOS) is a group of dedicated volunteers with one mission in mind – to help in any way they can to find a cure for breast cancer.
The local Broadview Snow Busters Club will once again be one of the hosts of the PWOS as they travel approximately 1,800 kilometres throughout the province.
The PWOS group will start Day 1 on Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 at Humboldt and end on Day 8 Friday, Feb. 3 at Warman. In 2009, the PWOS ended their ride in Broadview on Friday, Feb.6, where they attended the public banquet and auction which raised considerable proceeds for their cause.
Prairie Women On Snowmobiles Inc. was formed when two friends – one a breast cancer survivor – decided to snowmobile across Saskatchewan to raise funds for breast cancer research.
Women accepted the challenge and climbed onto their sleds. PWOS were inducted into the 2008-2009 International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in recognition of their contribution to snowmobiling. In 2011, PWOS received the Elizabeth Eisenhauer Award for their continued contributions of 10 years.
Since the first Mission in 2001, Prairie Women On Snowmobiles has contributed 100 per cent of the funds raised to the Canadian Cancer Society for breast cancer research. To date, more than $1.6 million has been raised.
These women increase awareness by promoting early detection and breast self-exams, as well as safe snowmobiling, as they sled through the many communities across Saskatchewan.
These riders get support from the numerous sleds that join throughout the ride. They also listen to survivors of breast cancer and to families of breast cancer victims. During a woman’s lifetime, one in nine women is expected to develop breast cancer, and one in 28 is expected to die from it.
On Day 2 of their ride, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, the Prairie Women On Snowmobiles are scheduled to be in Broadview at noon for lunch. Broadview Snow Busters Club will host a soup and sandwich for the PWOS, which is also open to the public, with proceeds being donated to the PWOS. This will be an opportunity for Broadview and area to join with them to raise funds for research, hope for the future and awareness of breast cancer, while promoting safe snowmobiling.
The journey of the Prairie Women On Snowmobiles can be followed on the internet at their website prairiewomen.ca.
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