FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

McCall Linke, Communications Director

Northern International Livestock Exposition

(406) 256-2495

mccall@thenile.org

Cancer is Left in the Dust for Kids N Cowboys at the NILE

Billings, MT- Over 22 years ago, an organization called Kids 'N' Cowboys was founded. This organization has been rounding up kids with cancer from all around eastern Montana and northern Wyoming areas, and treating them and their families to a fun evening with dinner and a night at the NILE ProRodeo. Not only are the families provided with dinner and rodeo tickets, but organization also supplies them with travel expenses, lodging and meals.

"You've got these kids out there, especially from the surrounding towns, and they might feel like they are the only ones going through it. So we bring them together and not talk about cancer, because we all know that is why we are there, and we just have a good time," states Founder, Tim Crowley. "Everyone gets treated the same. It's very important to have the whole family there."

The day includes everything from firefighters and a fire truck, to Shriner clowns, rodeo queens, NILE Rodeo cowboys and cowgirls and even some horseback-riding. The families enjoy dinner catered by Yellowstone Kelly's, followed by the final evening performance of the NILE ProRodeo on Saturday, Oct. 17.

Most of the children are patients of Dr. Kelker, a Billings Pediatric Oncologist, who attends the event almost every year.

"It's cool for the new families to come and meet the families that have been there for a few years and to see the kids who had cancer and it gives them hope," continued Crowley.

While Kids 'N' Cowboys is fully funded, donations can be sent to Kelker's Kids Fund at the Billings Clinic Foundation, PO Box 31031, Billings, MT 59107.

The NILE is proud to host Kid 'N' Cowboys this Saturday for the third and final night of the NILE Rodeo event that kicks off the 2016 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo season.

Rodeo action starts at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets for the NILE ProRodeo can be purchased by visiting the MetraPark box office, online at metrapark.com or by calling the Metra ticket office at (800) 366-8538. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.TheNile.org or call the NILE office at (406) 256-2495.

The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) is a non-profit organization 501(c)3 established in 1967 that is dedicated to the promotion of livestock, agriculture education, and respect of the western tradition. For more information on the NILE call 406-256-2495 or visit www.thenile.org. The 2015 NILE is Oct. 10-17 in Billings, Montana.

Northern International Livestock Exposition

(406) 256-2495 | info@thenile.org | thenile.org

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