Durango® Boots is proud to offer another way customers can continue to support the fight against breast cancer while sporting their favorite western styles. The brand has launched a new women’s pink ribbon boot in their popular Crush™ collection, with a portion of the proceeds, up to $35,000 annually, going directly to the Columbus, Ohio - based Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). The organization funds research, clinical trials and new technologies in support of the vision to create a cancer-free world. To date, Durango® has donated $269,274 to breast cancer research, with more than $84,000 allocated to the Spielman Fund.
The 12” Western Pink Ribbon Sepia Blush (DRD0438) Crush™ boot features an embroidered pink ribbon on both the pull tab and the full-grain leather accessory strap, which features antiqued metal hardware. This style also has the Durango® Sole Comfort Footbed™, a steel shank, a single row sole stitch around the snip toe, a rubber outsole with a vintage finish and a 2 ½” fashion heel. This style is available now at select retailers and online at durangoboots.com and retails for $159.
In addition to this new style, the brand will continue to offer its comfort and performance driven Women's Lady Rebel™ Pink Western Boot. The 10-inch full-leather pull-on style has a brown foot and bright pink shaft adorned with embellishments and white stitching with a double-row sole stitch, 1 ½-inch rocker heel and a square toe. Each pull tab features an embroidered pink ribbon and the boot’s translucent dual-density rubber outsole showcases the pink ribbon graphic representing breast cancer awareness. The Lady Rebel™ Pink Western Boot retails for $116.96 and is also available at select retailers and online at durangoboots.com.
About Durango
Founded in 1966 Durango® Boot manufactures and markets quality-crafted western and fashion footwear for men, women and children. It is a division of Rocky Brands™, a publicly traded company on NASDAQ® under the symbol: RCKY. For more information visit www.durangoboots.com.
About the Stefanie Spielman Fund
In 1998, Stefanie Spielman was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30 and lost her battle with the disease in 2009. Stefanie and her husband Chris Spielman, an All-Star linebacker from Massillon, Ohio and 11-year NFL player, became advocates for the fight against breast cancer, founding the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research in 1998. The fund has raised more than $25 million to support research at the OSUCCC – James. To learn more about the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research, visit www.spielmanfund.com.
About The OSUCCC – James
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute strives to create a cancer-free world by integrating scientific research with excellence in education and patient-centered care, a strategy that leads to better methods of prevention, detection and treatment. Ohio State is one of only 53 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and one of only a few centers funded by the NCI to conduct both phase I and phase II clinical trials on novel anticancer drugs provided by the NCI. As the cancer program’s 356-bed adult patient-care component, The James is one of the top cancer hospitals in the nation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report and has achieved Magnet designation, the highest honor an organization can receive for quality patient care and professional nursing practice. At 21 floors with more than 1.1 million square feet, The James is a transformational facility that fosters collaboration and integration of cancer research and clinical cancer care. For more information, please visit cancer.osu.edu.
Breast cancer affects countless women and families, including many Durango Boots customers and team members. Shelby Baugh is one of those women.
Shelby received her breast cancer diagnosis in February 2020, just days before she turned 36. In March of the same year, she underwent a double mastectomy. Two years later, after 17 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation, Baugh is cancer free—but she’s still in active treatment as an added layer of protection.
“Now that I'm on the other side of cancer, I'm so grateful for companies like Durango Boots that raise awareness for breast cancer, whether it be research or supporting survivors like myself,” Baugh shares. “It’s a confidence boost to me. They're recognizing us for the fight that we had and acknowledging that we went through a lot to get where we are.”
Baugh loves wearing her Pink Ribbon Durango Boots on her cut flower farm in Texas, out on the town with her husband, and at her children’s school events. For Baugh, it’s a badge of pride that opens opportunities to share her story. Photos attached show Shelby in her boots, pictured with her three children.
“When I was in the middle of chemotherapy, I lost my hair, and I was bald,” Baugh reveals. “It was really easy to identify me as a cancer patient, or for me to start up a conversation to raise awareness about breast cancer. But now that I've got my chemo curls growing out, I'm not so easily pegged as the breast cancer survivor. By wearing products like Durango’s Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Boots, I'm able to help raise awareness and to identify with others who are breast cancer survivors, too.”
Since her diagnosis, Baugh has made it her mission to help others learn early warning signs and practice preventive care in hopes of reducing the number of lives claimed by breast cancer.