8th Annual Bowling 4 The Cure Bowl-a-Thon

We know a lot of people have had a very hard year, and we held our breath. But the turnout for yesterday's bowl-a-thon was enthusiastic, and everybody got a break from all the negative press and doom and gloom from the media and did something positive. There is nothing like pulling together as a community against a common enemy like breast cancer to help keep spirits up.

We thank everybody who forwarded emails, donated raffle prizes, stuffed bags, made phone calls, showed up early and stayed late, or bowled their hearts out. It was a great day, and it was made possible by some pretty great people. Thanks for all you do, everybody!

Where Does the Money Go?

We were asked recently by a potential donor to explain how we distribute the money that we collect for Bowling 4 the Cure.

Here is a quick rundown:

At the annual Bowl-a-thon, we charge $20.00 for each person to bowl. Out of each $20.00 we pay $4.50 to Lakeview Lanes for the use of the lanes and the services they provide.

We hold raffles, silent auction and sell decorated bowling pins to help raise money for breast cancer research. All of this money goes to the endowment fund that matches us dollar for dollar.

We do get donations that also go to research unless we are told it can be use as needed. If we are told it can be used as needed, we may use a portion towards operating expenses. If we don't have anything pressing at the time such an undirected donation arrives, it is also put towards breast cancer research.

Occasionally, we hold small events to raise money for incidental expenses (paper, printing, signage, etc.). These events vary in size, and provide most of the "slush fund" that we use for our modest expenses.

Bowling 4 The Cure -- media release 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Peggy Bowers, 602-938-5427 or peggy@bowling4thecure.com

BOWLING 4 THE CURE WILL HOLD ANNUAL EVENT TO FUND BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

GLENDALE, ARIZ. -- (September 21, 2009) -- Bowling 4 The Cure will host its annual bowl-a-thon in conjunction with Lakeview Lanes in Sun City Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. Funds raised will be donated to breast cancer research. Peggy Bowers, founder of Bowling 4 The Cure says, “Money is a terrific weapon against disease when it funds research. Every dollar contributed helps continue the fight against this killer of both women and men.”

Peggy Bowers, founder of Bowling 4 The Cure, adds that although the annual October bowl-a-thon raises money for cancer research, she is driven to make the efforts against cancer a year-round event. She says, “We began as a local, grassroots group, so the results we have every year with the bowl-a-thon are amazing. We know that the economy has hit people hard the last year – especially people with ongoing health challenges. So this year’s bowl-a-thon will be especially meaningful in terms of keeping the fight going, and offering hope. I have lost too many family members and friends to breast cancer, and I will never slow down my efforts to defeat it.”

Peggy adds, “If you can’t come out and bowl, we ask your support through the donation of goods, services, or gift cards that can be used as raffle or silent auction items throughout the event. If you want to come just to watch and participate in the fun, please feel welcome. We have many people who don’t bowl, but are with us every year just to cheer us on.”

“If you would like to be part of this wonderful day as more than a corporate donor, we invite you, your employees, friends and family members to purchase tickets for $20 each. Your ticket entitles you to three games, shoe rental, and your use of a bowling ball. You can choose between bowling a morning or an afternoon session. But please sign up now as spaces are limited.”

Last year, thanks to an endowed fund for breast cancer research through GreaterGood Network (GreaterGood.org), Bowling 4 The Cure was able to donate $20,000 to Mayo Clinic.

Lakeview Lanes is located at 10502 W. Thunderbird Road, Sun City, Arizona. Information about Bowling 4 The Cure is available at www.bowling4thecure.com. Peggy Bowers can be reached at 602-938-5427 or peggy@bowling4thecure.com.

The Bowl-a-Thon Is Almost Here!

There's only a month to go before the next Bowling 4 The Cure bowl-a-thon. There are two sessions -- one at 10:00 a.m. and one at 2:00 p.m. -- but the slots are filling rapidly, especially for the morning session. So if you have a preference, please get your reservations made ASAP.

We are still welcoming donations of raffle prizes and silent auction items. If you would like to add to the fun on October 4 by making a donation of any kind, we would be very appreciative.

Bowling Game on Bowling 4 The Cure site

There's now a way for you to practice your bowling. Try the new bowling game on the website. Just click, and then start rolling.

The game works much, much better with a mouse. If you have a touch pad, you can eventually get the hang of it, but it is far less frustrating when a mouse is used.

Have fun!

A Big Thanks to Mac

We had something truly wonderful happen. Mac McDermott made a gift of a laptop computer to Bowling 4 The Cure. It will be dedicated solely to the work of our small but mighty organization, and we can't thank Mac enough for his thoughtfulness. The computer also arrives at a highly critical time of the year for B4TC, as we are getting ready for our annual bowl-a-thon in October, on Sunday the 4th.

So, Mac -- thanks.

Breast Cancer Is Everybody's Enemy

When you say the words "breast cancer," most people think of mature women. However, breast cancer can strike the very young, too. Recently, we read a the courageous tale of a 10-year old girl who found a lump in her still undeveloped breast, and was wise enough to tell her mother. The lump proved to be cancerous, and this little girl is currently undergoing treatment. Men can be stricken, too. And it is even a plague in the animal kingdom, and can bring misery to much loved pets.

We are all staring into the face of a common enemy. Although women are far more likely to encounter breast cancer (current figures list the number as 1 in 8), nobody is safe from its touch.

Let's continue the fight together. When cancer loses, we will all win.

Margarita Party a Big Success for B4TC

Last Friday night, a margarita party was held at the home of Danny and Julie Jacobson to raise money for Bowling 4 The Cure (B4TC). The Jacobsons hosted the event, which was supported by the efforts of numerous volunteers and helping hands. By the end of the evening, $1,050 had been raised to add to the on-going efforts of B4TC to accumulate donations to give towards cancer research.

We thank Danny and Julie, and all the folks who supported the party by buying tickets, making donations, attending, and having a great time.

Also in the plans for this year are for an autumn Twilight Tea. We will keep you supplied with details as they develop.

If you'd like to do something to boost the efforts of B4TC, we would be happy to give you help with publicizing your event. Yard sales, car washes -- whatever you believe will help people "think pink" -- are all worthy events for a worthy cause.

Peggy Bowers: Pretty in Pink

It's no secret that pink was never Peggy Bowers' favorite color. As a red-head, she just never wore it. However, pink has become her war colors, and she's waging a battle against an enemy that she considers to be as evil a foe as exists anywhere.

Recently, she read of a 10-year old girl who had been diagnosed with a rare form of juvenile breast cancer. Peggy said, "That's when I cried I was so mad."

Peggy will now wear anything pink. "Do I like the color? Not really. Do I believe in the fight that the pink ribbon symbolizes? You had better believe it."

Got Advice?

We get lots of inquiries from women who have had their health care coverage either eliminated or drastically reduced. This is of obvious concern to us because of breast health issues.

Do you have any recommendations that we could pass on as to where to go for low cost or sliding scale mammograms, well woman visits, and follow-up care? Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated. We will whatever information you supply available to everybody, and together we will try to keep each other healthy.

Everybody Loves Our Raffle Prizes and Door Prizes

One of the reasons that so many people enjoy our annual bowl-a-thon is because of the raffle prizes and door prizes. We have been blessed every year with a wide array of donations, ranging from small to oh-my-goodness. We are always delighted to get donations of goods, services, gift cards, or whatever suits your fancy.

During the dog days of summer, there are sales galore -- especially now that the economy is still staggering. Check those clearance tables for items that might be a great giveaway at our charity event.

Even if you don't know one end of a bowling pin from the other, there is always something to keep you entertained at our annual bowl-a-thon.

Got Pins? We Need Them!

We are looking for bowling pins to act as "blanks" for our bowling pin decorating competition. If you have souvenir pins that you want to find a good home after an extreme makeover, we would love to have them.

We display entries at the annual bowl-a-thon, and there seems to be no end to the creative skills of our community members. We've had everything from bowling pin chickens and Red Hat ladies, to gorgeous miniature landscapes and little piggies.

Call Peggy Bowers at Bowling 4 the Cure, 602-938-5427, or email her at peggy@bowling4thecure.com.

Welcome to the B4TC Blog!

We are establishing a blog on the Bowling 4 The Cure site to permit conversation, observations, the sharing of information, and plain old socializing. If you have news that you'd like to share with our community of breast cancer fighters and the people who love them, this is the place to do it.

If you are new to this website, welcome aboard. Remember -- October 4 is right around the corner and it's the day we wait for all year -- our annual bowl-a-thon charity event at Lakeview Lanes in Sun City! So mark your calendars, and watch the website for updates.

In the meantime, bookmark this page and visit often.