News release
PHILLIPSBURG — Curtis Chance loves rodeo.
And when he was in need, the Phillipsburg rodeo helped him out.
The Phillipsburg native was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in May of 2021, and by the end of last year, it had spread into the gland under his ear.
In March of this year, he underwent 25 rounds of radiation within four weeks.
Hope in the Heartland, the nonprofit entity that is funded in part by donations from the Phillipsburg rodeo, donated funds to Chance and his wife Debbie, to help pay for travel, lodging and meals as he traveled to and from Hays for treatment.
Chance has volunteered with the rodeo since 1984, the year he moved back to his hometown after having been gone for about ten years. He was sitting in a bar when the stock contractor’s wranglers came in, and they struck up a conversation. They asked if he’d want to help, and he agreed. Since then, he’s never missed a performance of Kansas Biggest Rodeo.
He helps feed the bucking horses, bulls, calves and steers that are housed on the grounds, and he’ll pull the barrier at the timed event chute during slack and the rodeo performances. He’s volunteered at rodeos across the area: Hill City, Bennington, Abbyville, and Pretty Prairie, Kan.; North Platte, Neb., and Elk City and Duncan, Okla.
When his cancer treatment began, he told his wife he had a goal: to be well enough to help at the Ft. Hays State University college rodeo, held the weekend of April 15-16. “And I was there,” he said. “I set my goal and made it. I’m on the mend now.”
He's had financial assistance from other sources as well, including the Ron Schneider Fund, the Never Flinch Foundation and the Christian Church. He’s grateful to them all, and is returning the favor by donating back to each organization. For Tough Enough to Wear Pink night at the rodeo, this year held on August 4, Chance will make a large donation, knowing it will go to help others.
“I’m going to give a whole bunch of money back,” he said.
He is appreciative of his hometown, Phillipsburg.
“That’s the good part of being in a small town. People take care of you. I tell you what, small town living pays off. That’s why I’m never going to move.”
And when the Phillipsburg rodeo rolls around, he’ll be there, ready to work.
“I just love it,” he said.
Nearly $120,000 has been raised since pink night at the rodeo began in 2006. Funds are given to people in the area undergoing cancer treatment and are matched by these sponsors: B&B Redimix, Inc., Farmers State Bank, Amber Wave, Rodgers & Associates Insurance, Inc., Shearer Services LLC, and the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association.
The 93rd annual Kansas Biggest Rodeo takes place August 4-6 with performances at 8 pm nightly. Tickets are on sale online atKansasBiggestRodeo.com and at Heritage Insurance in Phillipsburg. Prices start at $17 for adults and $13 for children. For the August 4 show, children ages 10 and under have free admittance with the purchase of an adult ticket.
For more information, visit KansasBiggestRodeo.com or call 785.543.2448.