Prairie Women on Snowmobiles (PWOS) have made a huge impact upon so many people throughout the province since being created in 2000. The mission of this organization was to bring attention to Breast Cancer and the recreation of snowmobiling, and through this, also help raise funds that went towards breast cancer research, awareness and equipment.
The idea for this incredible group began when two friends, Carol Tulik and Jeannie Brewer, a breast cancer survivor, organized the first event in 2000. Since then, each year a group of women would come together, along with volunteers to make up the support crew and pit crew, to travel approximately 1400 kilometres in six days across Saskatchewan with all proceeds from their journey going to the Canadian Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research and the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan for equipment for treatment.
At the 2021 AGM for PWOS, the group made the difficult decision to dissolve the organization due to it becoming more difficult to fill the core rider positions, as well as positions within the executive.
Throughout the years, PWOS raised $2,532,968.31 for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and $436,000.00 for the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan (CFOS). The group also visited 198 communities, had 164 women ride and 37 pit crew members, with 25 women sitting on the executive. Additionally, there have been hundreds of corporate sponsors, thousands of volunteers and countless individuals that have donated prizes, funds and time to this incredible cause.
“The executive would like to humbly thank each and every one of the people who have ever been involved and extend our deepest gratitude for all that you have done for this wonderful organization,” PWOS shared via social media.
Earlier this month, the CFOS expressed their gratitude for the PWOS, stating that the group had played an integral role in the purchase of many cancer patient care and comfort items such as IV poles, telehealth monitors, bedside carts, power recliners, weigh scales, infusion pumps and more, for both the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina and the Saskatoon Cancer Centre. In addition, PWOS have raised more than $100,000 for the Mobile Mammography Bus and helped with the purchase of a brand-new SUV for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency’s Breast Cancer Screening Program this year. “Please join us in thanking these incredible women who organized, participated in, and helped this event be so successful,” the CFOS stated.
Following the announcement, the CCS, along with the CFOS expressed an interest in having one last banquet in honour of PWOS. More information regarding this will be shared once available.