Fighting cancer since the age of 7 1/2 months, Tacey Raye Raulerson, a survivor now age 9, inspired the title of Miss Tough Enough To Wear Pink Four States Rodeo Queen, a designation she proudly dons for the years 2008-2009.
"She just has this amazing spirit, nd rodeo is all about courage, hope and overcoming obstacles, and I think she does that every day," said Katie Rice, a Four States Rodeo volunteer and Wrangler representative who heard about Tacey's story from a friend. "Songs had been written about her and she had this dream of being a rodeo queen, so we decided to make her dream come true."
Tacey, the granddaughter of local residents Butch and Patsy Bolton, was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer known as retinoblastoma when she was just an infant. The cancer causes malignant tumors to form in the eyes of infants.
According to Tacey's mother, Tammy, when they received the diagnosis, doctors were not very optimistic that her eyes could be saved. But they were willing to aggressively attack the disease with chemotherapy in hopes of saving at least some of her vision, but more importantly, her life.
Six weeks into the chemo, doctors realized her left eye could not be saved.
"The tumors were on the verge of spreading through her optic nerve to her brain," Tammy explained.
Tacey's left eye had to be removed, and the long journey through chemo, radiation, laser therapy and cryotherapy began. By the time Tacey was 2 years old, she had endured more medical procedures than most adults would in a lifetime, according to her mother.
After years of fighting to save as much vision as possible, her doctors and parents came to the realization it would be necessary to remove Tacey's right eye to save her life. One month before her 7th birthday, she underwent the surgery that would leave her blind.
"Cancer may have taken her sight, but it has not taken her courage," Tammy emphasized.
Tacey emerged happy and strong, adjusting quickly to her new life. But, the fight was not yet over. She had to undergo intensive and aggressive chemotherapy to save the rest of her
body from any cancer cells that might spread.
Soon after she lost her second eye, Tacey was introduced to a new hobby of riding horses, which quickly became her passion and fueled her dream of becoming a rodeo queen.
Now those dreams are being realized as she reigns as the first ever Miss Tough Enough To Wear Pink Four States Rodeo Queen, says Tammy proudly.
During her reign, Tacey has many duties which include making appearances at rodeos, cowboy churches and cancer benefits. Her primary task, however, is to share her uplifting spirit and encourage others to set their sights high.
"It is really exciting, 'cause I get to go all over, and it's really fun going to different rodeos and events," said the little girl with big dreams of continuing on to become Miss Rodeo Texas Princess.
Making the rounds with her is a 14-year-old thoroughbred gelding given to her in May, fittingly named Hope Runs High.
"He is very gentle and really good with kids," said Tacey. "He's very protective of me.”
The gelding also apparently has quite the positive attitude.
“When we first got him, if my mom came and talked to me while I was in the saddle and there was 'no' anywhere in her sentence, then he would take his nose and nudge her away from me,” said Tacey.
Tacey and her parents, who live in College Station, travel extensively. Their next event was to take them to Las Vegas, Nev., for the National Finals Rodeo, invited by an organization called Western Wishes.
"People just hear her story and call and invite or request her to come to their events," said Rice, who visits Tacey when events bring her close to Texarkana, such as the recent Handicapable Rodeo held Nov. 21 at the HCRCC Rodeo Arena. "Tacey not only represents the sport of rodeo and all it represents, but she helps raise money and awareness about the disease."
Tough Enough To Wear Pink (TETWP) is a non-profit organization that raises money for breast cancer research within the Western industry, according to Rice. At a September Four States Rodeo event in Texarkana, sponsors joined in with the organization and Four States to make Tacey their rodeo queen. She was awarded prizes such as a crown and buckle by Montana Silversmith, clothes sponsored by Wrangler, boots from Justin, a cowboy hat given by Resistol and a Billy Cook saddle, as well as other gifts from sponsors such as Kippys, Leather Design, JB Saddlery, Turkey Creek Cattle Co. and Grand Impressions Custom Rodeo Flags.
"Where ever Tacey goes, she spreads hope, inspiration and encouragement with her joy and zest for life," said Tammy. "Being Miss Tough Enough To Wear Pink Four State Rodeo Queen has turned into something much bigger than we every imagined it would. It has turned into a ministry and an outreach that we never dreamed it would become."
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written by Wanda , December 23, 2008
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