Family ‘pulls’ together to raise money for cure

October brings a lot of fundraisers for breast cancer research, but one taking place this weekend might be one of the most unique ways to support finding a cure.

Neal Cardin

Tim and Carolyn Hornback have helped organize a Breast Cancer Awareness tractor pull this weekend to help raise funds for the Susan G. Koeman Foundation. Carolyn is a breast cancer survivor and is taking a chemo treatment today. Tim has been involved in tractor pulling for many years. Their grandson, Ben Stinnett, wears a t-shirt that reads "I Love Nana".

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Neal Cardin

Hornback has a Susan G. Komen for the Cure flag attached to the rollbar of his pulling tractor.

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Neal Cardin

Breast cancer survivor Carolyn Hornback wears a survivor hat and a shirt that reads "don't count the days, make the days count" on the back while Tim walks with her.

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Neal Cardin

Tim and Carolyn Hornback and grandson, Ben Stinnett.

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Tim and Carolyn Hornback are hosting the Burger King Breast Cancer Awareness Truck and Tractor Pull on Friday and Saturday. The event combines Tim’s love of tractor pulls with the family’s personal experience with cancer.

The event begins at 7 p.m. Friday at the Hardin County Fairgrounds. There is an antique tractor pull at 2 p.m. Saturday and another competition at 7 p.m. that day.

Net proceeds from the event will go the Louisville chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Carolyn was diagnosed with breast cancer more than a decade ago. The cancer returned two years ago and has spread to other parts of her body, including her brain. She currently is undergoing chemotherapy.

The idea for the event came to the Hornbacks’ daughter last year.

“I said okay, we’ll do it,” Tim said. The Hornbacks have spent the past year planning. Now it’s almost time for the fun of the event, he said.

Tim has long been involved in tractor pull events, which served as the inspiration for the event.

“It’s a pretty big hobby,” he said.

The event also features bouncy houses for children, several food vendors and tractor and machinery displays.

Admission is $10 a ticket, and breast cancer survivors will be admitted for free and recognized at the event.

“It’s going to be a lot bigger than we ever thought it would be,” he said.

Attendees will be traveling from several states to compete, and Tim hopes each night draws between 2,000 and 3,000 people.

Carolyn said the couple appreciates each of the sponsors, and she’s touched by the work her husband put into an event that was inspired by her.

“Well, it makes me feel good; it makes me feel proud,” she said.

She thinks it’s been a good distraction for her husband.

“He worries about me so much,” she said.

Tickets can also be purchased by contacting Tim at (270) 268-2431.

Kelly Cantrall can be reached at (270) 505-1747 or kcantrall@thenewsenterprise.com.