Bowling for cancer

Bowling alleys across Canada are looking to strike out breast cancer in January.

Bill Graham, manager at Thunder Bay’s Mario’s Bowl, on Friday said throughout the month his alley will donate a quarter from each adult shoe rental, money that will be used locally to fight the deadly disease.

“Everyone who bowls has been touched by cancer, and breast cancer as well,” Graham said. “I believe there are 83 centres across Canada are participating in this event. I hope it will be an annual event too. It seems to going over pretty well.”

Throughout the duration of the Knockdown Cancer event, Mario’s Bowl will also have a limited number of pink rental shoes available for use and a pink bowling ball and set of pins that will be given away at the end of the month.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, about 23,200 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, with 5,300 dying of the disease. More than a third of these women hail from Ontario, and over the course of their lifetimes, one in nine will have a chance of developing the disease.

It’s also the most commonly diagnosed disease for Canadian women.

Kyle Vanravenswaay, a fundraising co-ordinator with the Canadian Cancer Society in Thunder Bay, said bowling and cancer seems like a natural fit, and the need is definitely there.

“We do a lot of research, and all funds collected in January are going directly to breast cancer research. It’s very, very important. Over the past two decades, breast cancer fatality rates have declined by 30 per cent.”

Keeping that trend going is what Vanravenswaay would like to see continue.

“The money is going great use. It’s a battle we have to keep fighting.”
Mario’s Bowl will also be accepting donations at their front counter.