Catonsville residents rally for Relay for Life

Cancer patients, survivors and caregivers will unite as one Saturday for Catonsville’s annual Relay for Life Event.

The June 8 event, hosted by the American Cancer Society and held on the track at the Catonsville campus of the Community College of Baltimore, will start at 6 p.m. Saturday with a survivor lap around the track.

Teams will have at least one member walking around the track from then until 6 a.m. Sunday.

“The big thing we want to do is educate the people, educate the community, to know that the resources and support are out there,” said one of the event coordinators Francine Churchill.

She said she watched her 32-year-old niece die from breast cancer in 2006 and her favorite uncle died from lung cancer three years later.

“I just want to make a difference and not let her life be in vain,” Churchill said of her niece.

Event co-coordinator Lynette Lindy is a six-year breast cancer survivor.

“I was diagnosed in 2007,” Lindy said. “It’s actually a whole entire year of your life you’re going through the battle. A whole year all you’re seeing is white coats and everything is cancer.”

Lindy said that while she was going through treatment at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore, she would speak to patients and survivors about how they coped with their illnesses.

Lindy said she saw the American Cancer Society’s work throughout the hospital. After her treatment, and then taking a break from all things cancer when she went into remission, she decided it was time to give back again. She began working with Churchill to plan Relay in 2011.

“It’s for research for other people coming along … some we can ultimately find a cure,” Lindy said of the event.

As of last week, teams registered for the Catonsville event have raised more than $56,000. That number is expected to grow in the days leading up to Saturday’s event as well as on Saturday. Those wishing to contribute have until July 31 for their donations to be accepted.

One Catonsville family has been working closely with Churchill and Lindy to on the event planning committee while overcoming their own battles against cancer.

David Herman and his wife, Erika, moved to Catonsville from Millersville in October 2012.

The very next day, his mother died from breast cancer.

Once they were settled in their new home, the couple decided they wanted to get involved in the planning process for the local Relay event.

“I think it’s just a good way to remember her,” Erika Herman said of David’s mother.

David Herman’s grandfather had died from melanoma in August 2012 and both he and his wife know many other friends who have been diagnosed.

“My family has been hit with cancer pretty hard,” he said. “I had lost a friend to breast cancer (as well). It’s everywhere.”

Herman’s mother had been in remission for eight years when the disease resurfaced. The Hermans’ two daughters walked in a survivor lap with her at a previous Relay event in Hanover, Pa.

Social media helps connect cancer survivors

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Rena Sarigianopoulos

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GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — Facebook and Twitter are well known for connecting people be it old high school classmates or even new friends. But, for some, social media has turned strangers into therapists and philanthropists.

“My friends who are really funny help me so much,” says Lynne Dablow.

The breast cancer survivor has used Facebook to connect with her friends, and even people she doesn’t know, since her diagnosis back in 2008.

“People who would step back or feel like they could not communicate in person, maybe those are friends really comfortable with a social media connection that they wouldn’t have done otherwise, so that’s a huge blessing to open up that circle to more people,” says Dablow.

Open the circle she has. Lynne started reaching out to friends of friends on Facebook. She met another survivor named Lisa. They would chat and help each other through bad days. Then, Lynne reach out to another friend of a friend who was planning a benefit for another woman with breast cancer.

The women starting working together but never met in person, but it didn’t matter, the power of social media took over.

“I thought we’d be doing phone calls and mailings and we didn’t have to. Word of mouth just kept going and going,” says Laurie Serie, one of the “Banding together for Jane” event planners.

The group of strangers became friends and philanthropists. They raised $10,000 for Jane. They also plan to continue their work and their friendship into the future thanks to several degrees of separation that, thanks to social media, have now shrunk.

(Copyright 2013 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)

A great event to support Breast Cancer awareness.

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Troy Hicks, the building supervisor for the Muskogee Civic Center, said he would be rolling out his 2008 Harley Fat Boy for the first Women Who Care Breast Cancer Awareness Ride on Saturday.

“I think this is something everyone needs to come out and support,” Hicks said. “I love riding motorcycles, and all of us know someone who has dealt with cancer.”

The event will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, which is when registration opens. At 8:30, the riders will have an opportunity to listen to former Muskogee Mayor Wren Stratton and Cassandra Gaines, both event coordinators, talk about the Women Who Care organization.

Gaines said she was part of a trio of women who founded Women Who Care in 2000.

“It was me, Wren, and Muriel Saunders,” Gaines said. “We set out to be able to provide mammograms for women who can’t afford them or don’t have any insurance.”

The ride will encompass the Muskogee, Fort Gibson, Tahlequah, and Lake Tenkiller areas, before hopping on Oklahoma 80 for the return trip to Muskogee. The route is titled the “Winding Star Journey.”

Gaines said the response to the event already has been overwhelming, and they are looking forward to a great turnout.

“This is the first year for it, but it’s something our riders wanted to do,” Gaines said. “We’re going to give pink bandanas to the first 200 riders. We want everyone to come take part in this event. Even if cancer hasn’t affected someone in your family, please come out to support us.”

Hicks said he is personally dedicating his ride to Gaines, who is a breast cancer survivor and a good friend.

“$20 is cheap price to pay to help save a life,” he said.

If you go

WHAT: First Women Who Care Breast Cancer Awareness Ride.

WHEN: 8 a.m. Saturday.

WHERE: West side of the Muskogee Civic Center, Fifth and Boston streets.

COST: $20 per rider.

Party in Pink – Winston

Zumbathon benefits breast cancer awareness

Songstress Trina Braxton was on hand at the Village Inn Event Center in Clemmons Friday evening to take part in the Second Annual Zumbathon Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Braxton, who stars with her sisters on the hit reality show “Braxton Family Values,” stood next to Zumba Instructor Renee Pickett and helped lead more than 200 women in a workout with purpose. The mother of two donated her time to the effort because she said breast cancer has “hit home with the Braxton family,” which includes her Grammy-winning sister Toni Braxton. The five Braxton sisters lost their grandmother to the disease 10 years ago, Braxton said, and an aunt is a survivor, as is one of her closest friends.

“Awareness is key,” said Braxton, who recently released her first solo single, “Party or Go Home.” “You can’t make a difference if you’re not aware.”

On “Braxton Family Values,” Trina’s sisters sometimes tease her for being what she calls “choreographically challenged,” but there was no sign of her two left feet at the Zumbathon, as she swung her knee-length braids and sweated it out to the pulsating beats.

“I had a wonderful time – it was like a full body workout,” she said after completing her portion of the three-hour long grind. “…I’m just glad to be here. I enjoyed myself immensely. Hopefully, they’ll invite me back next year.”

Photos by Layla Garms
A sea of pink clad attendees take part in the Zumbathon Friday.

Lana Schlotfeldt, general manager at the Village Inn and one of the event’s coordinators, said she contacted Braxton as a possible headliner for the event, and was pleasantly surprised by the response she received.

“I’ve been watching ‘Braxton Family Values,’ and I’m a fan of hers,” she said. “When I contacted Trina Braxton, she didn’t hesitate.”

For the event, the Village Inn was decked out in hues of pink, from the balloons and streamers that dangled from the ceilings, to the spread of deserts and refreshments that were laid out for attendees. Women (and a few men) of every age and persuasion flocked to the Event Center, donning pink from head to toe. Some wore t-shirts inscribed with the name of a friend or loved one who has battled or is battling the disease, while others took a more flamboyant approach, sporting everything from pink streaks in their hair to vibrant feather boas. Schlotfeldt flitted about, passing out breast cancer awareness rings, bracelets and temporary tattoos. The grandmother of four said she founded the Zumbathon on a whim, along with Village Inn Owner Dana Bryson and Helen Naples, owner of Women’s Wellness and Fitness, last year.

“We love doing things for the community. We love to give back; we love Zumba, so we thought, ‘why not do a Zumbathon?’” she said of the annual event. “It was great. We had a great response. Everybody couldn’t wait to do it again.”

Schlotfeldt, Bryson and Naples sold more than 200 advance tickets to the event, which featured a live deejay, dance club-inspired lighting and an array of vendors. Money raised  through the event benefitted the local Susan G. Komen for the Cure  chapter.

Naples, who founded the Jonestown Road fitness center 20 years ago with women in mind, said she and the other organizers were not surprised by the enthusiastic turnout this year’s event garnered.

“The excitement has been building since last year, so we knew it was going to be a blowout,” said the Cleveland, Ohio native. “…So many people here are dancing either in honor or in memory or in celebration of someone who’s been touched by the disease.”

Winston-Salem resident Denise Harmon was dancing for, and with, her mother, Elaine Boyd, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. Boyd received her diagnosis after  a routine mammogram; thankfully, the tumor was only the size of the head of a pin. Harmon said her mother’s experience drives home the importance of preventative care. She added that she couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Boyd’s recovery.

“My mom has been dancing since she was three years-old,” said the Aveda Salons employee, who was recently licensed as a Zumba instructor. “She actually taught me to dance and she was the one who inspired me to dance.”

The Zumbathon marked the first major event to be held at the Event Center since it underwent a $1.5 million renovation, and Bryson, who took ownership of the facility just over a year ago, said she felt it was the perfect way to break the new Event Center in.

“It’s a great cause. I think everybody does (have a connection to it). If it’s not touched their life, it’s touched someone they know,” she declared. “…Some of the survivors may have struggled. Fighting cancer is not easy, but this brings a lightness so they can cut loose and have a good time and actually celebrate their journey.”

“Braxton Family Values” airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on the WE TV network. For more information about Braxton, visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.trinabraxton.com” http://www.trinabraxton.com. For more information about the Village Inn Event Center, visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.thevillageinn.com” http://www.thevillageinn.com.

Fundraiser For Woman With Breast Cancer

Twin Falls, Idaho (KMVT-TV) A free concert is being held on September 7th to raise awareness about a local woman with breast cancer.

The concert is taking place at the Twin Falls City Park and you can donate to the cause at the event or through the event website.

Event coordinators are still asking for items to be donated for the an auction and raffle, which are bot set to take place.

For more information on Trina Robbins, visit the website for the fundraiser at http://www.united-voice.com/

Angel Ride will be Saturday

Even in a crowd of more than 500 bikers, Tracy Newman is likely to stand out with her bright pink motorcycle and matching leather gear.

When she had the formerly black bike painted last year, it wasn’t for any particular cause.

“Pink is my favorite color. I wanted it to be pink,” she said.

But it does fit perfectly with the reason for this weekend’s ride. The sixth annual Angel Ride to Save the Ta-Tas will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday and will raise money for breast cancer patients at Trinity Regional Medical Center.

Linda Lowery, one of the event coordinators, said the route would be about 115 miles. The ride begins at Community Tap and Pizza in Fort Dodge and will visit Lynch’s in Rockwell City, the Viking’s Bay in Sac City, the Sportster in Newell, the Watering Hole in Fonda and the recently opened Shoreside bar and grill in Manson before returning to Community Tap.

Breakfast will be served in the morning at Community Tap. A lunch plate including pork burger, beans and chips will be for sale at the Sportster.

“The gal there, the main bartender, is a cancer survivor, so the town is coming out to help us on that,” Lowery said.

Though it started as a motorcycle ride, Lowery said people could bring cars, trucks or buses.

“Last year we had three or four bicycles go,” she said. “They left at 6 in the morning so they could ride it.”

Riders can sign up at Community Tap starting at 9 a.m. Saturday or at the pre-party at Sneakers Eatery and Pub from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday. That party will feature the Dueling Pianos, pair of players who normally perform at Willow Ridge, Lowery said.

Cost for the pre-party is $5; the ride itself is $15 per rider.

All the money raised goes to Trinity Oncology. It helps women with travel and hotel expenses, meal vouchers, wigs, hats and scarves, said RaeAnne Frey Marner, director of the Trinity Cancer Center.

“Their donations have provided assistance with breast cancer support services, awareness and education programs, and detection through cancer screening for women that are underinsured or with no insurance,” Marner said. “Because of their help in meeting these needs, our patients find the strength and courage to transcend the effects of cancer.”

Marner has been involved with the project since it started. This year, she will also be riding along on the route.

Event coordinator Dawn Wesley said, “The people out at Trinity will tell us, when somebody decides they can’t continue their treatments because they can’t afford their co-pay or what have you, and they tell them, we’ve got you covered, there’s a group. They tell them about us, and we take care of them.

“There’s a gal right now who has to pay $50 every time she gets her treatment, and our funds go to pay that. She can’t afford it because she’s missed so much work. She’s a single mom.”

“There was one who got breast cancer last year and made her deductible,” said Lowery. “Well, the first part of this year she had to meet her $1,500 deductible, and this money paid for that. Otherwise she’d have to start all over, and she just didn’t have the funds.”

Last year, 570 people participated in the ride, and raised more than $43,000 dollars.

“It’s amazing how we started out so small,” Lowery said. “Our first ride had 200 people, and raised $3,000.”

There will be a silent auction Friday night, and a live auction on Saturday at Community Tap after the ride. Items include bird feeders, a pedal car, and autographed University of Iowa footballs and flags.

Also to be auctioned are more than 10 chairs decorated by local businesses, individuals, and Fort Dodge Senior High students in this year’s Chairs for Chairity fundraiser.

Lowery has been riding with the group ever since the end of the first year, and Wesley has been involved since the end of the second year. Both have cancer survivors in their family.

“I think a lot of people take this as a pay-it-forward type of deal,” Lowery said. “My grandma died of it before I was born, and I don’t want to see anyone else go through it.”

Newman also had personal experience with the disease.

“My sister is a breast cancer survivor of 11 years,” she said. “She was diagnosed at age 45, which is awfully young I thought. It was pretty scary, but she did well, and has done well.

“It makes you more aware.”

Relay for Life honors cancer survivors, victims

For Columbus resident Curley Williams, it was just another day. She was pushing a cart at a local grocery store, purchasing bulk items for the business she owns, Children First Day Care. As her cell phone began to ring, Williams had no idea her life was about to change forever. 

“I lost it; I had a complete breakdown in the store,” Williams said, recalling the day she was informed she had breast cancer. “I went downhill after that. I could hardly leave my house for six months. I just stayed in. It was devastating. I just could not understand why God was doing this to me.” 

Dressed in a purple T-shirt with the word “Survivor” printed on the back, Williams, 52, was in good spirits Friday, laughing with family and friends, as she joined numerous cancer survivors at the 2012 Lowndes County Relay for Life.  

Williams had much cause for celebration, as she has been cancer-free for more than nine years. She credits finding the cancer to her son, Justin Jones, who was born when she was 41. 

“I had my son late in life; I also have a 30 year old daughter,” she said. “After I had Justin, I went to the doctor for my one year check up. I had never had a breast examination before. I thought nothing about it. But they found something in my breast tissue.” 

Williams said she underwent treatment for the cancer and eventually had to have a complete mastectomy. After some reconstructive surgery, Williams’ body was free of cancer, and her “second life” had begun.  

“I am thankful for the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. I could be dead, but I’m not. Every day is truly a blessing. But I encourage women to get a mammography. Early detection saved my life.” 

Williams’ story was one of many success stories at the annual Relay for Life, held on the track at Columbus High School from 6 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday. Although cancer is usually associated with hushed voices, fear and sadness, Relay for Life was anything but a somber event. With families enjoying praise music, games, children playing and the smells of meat cooking on grills, the event had the atmosphere of a small carnival. 

Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life is a fundraising event, with teams composed of community members who raise money by selling luminarias and hosting an array of fundraising events prior to Relay for Life and by selling various goods or services the night of the main event. The money raised is given to the American Cancer Society, where it is funneled back into the community for those stricken with cancer.  

The event raised approximately $143,000. Though the goal was $154,000, more money is expected to come in after the event. According to a board member, $110,000 had been raised as of Tuesday night, meaning about $33,000 was raised from that night until Saturday at 6 a.m. The event raised $140,000 in 2011. 

While official numbers have not been calculated, event coordinators said the event was highly successful. 

“We had 60 teams this year, which is even larger than last year,” Lowndes County Relay co-chair Mott Ellis said. “There were more than 800 team members. We predict thousands of people participated over the course of the 12 hours.” 

Police estimated attendance at approximately 5,000 people in addition to the 800 team members. 

The 2012 Relay held numerous activities including a dove release, a victory lap for cancer survivors and a luminaria ceremony, which honors both survivors and those who have succumbed to the disease. Representatives from the 60 teams were on the track, walking laps continuously for the event’s duration. 

Kathy Parker said she and he husband, Dewayne, never thought much about Relay for Life. But when Dewayne was diagnosed with lung cancer, things changed for the Columbus family. 

“We didn’t think about Relay for Life or any of this before Dewayne got cancer. But now, we are very supportive of this. I was terrified when we found out. When your hear the word cancer, you automatically think of death.” 

Cancer-free for eight years, Dewayne has returned to work as a diesel mechanic. 

“Cancer took half of one of my lungs,” he said. “But I’m still here and that’s what this night is all about.” 

Relay For Life began in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer, according to cancer.org, the ACS website. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, circled the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, for 24 hours for a total of more than 83 miles. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised $27,000 to fight cancer.

Nursing students raise money for UP health insurance program by hosting …

The Student Nurses Association will be raising money for the Medical Care Access Coalition by hosting “Playing for a Cause,” a benefit concert Friday, March 16 at Upfront Co.
The SNA is a group that not only organizes charity events but acts as a resource for students interested in the field of nursing.

One of their annual events is a charity ball which benefits a different cause each year. The ball has raised money for the Marquette Children’s museum, the Woman’s Center and breast cancer.

Along with a few others, NMU senior nursing major, Kendall Burt is one of the event coordinators who have been planning “Playing for a Cause” since December.

“We always do the charity ball and this year we knew we wanted to do something more,” Burt said.

The concert will benefit the MCAC, a non-profit organization that assists people who do not have insurance or have low income in finding necessary medical care. Located at the Peninsula Health Center, the MCAC finds doctors to donate their time to help these patients.

Freshman nursing major, Alicia Crouse found support through the coalition when she was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma last March. Crouse has been a member of the SNA for the last year and has been helping plan for the concert.

“We have been posting flyers around campus trying to get the word out,” Crouse said.

Local bands, Stranded, Drone Wolves, Midnight Manuel and The Chanteymen have donated their time to perform at the event. The NMU Constructors have donated a set of Adirondack chairs that they constructed.

Member of the NMU Constructors, senior, Curtis Brown had a hand in building the donated chairs. The chairs were painted by a local artist and will be raffled off at the event.

Brown said Playing for a Cause is one of the first university events the club has been involved with.
“We do projects for anyone in need in Marquette,” Brown said. “We do a lot of renovations to help out the Marquette community.”
Several students are donating services such as yard-work, tutoring and babysitting for patrons to bid on.

According to Crouse the SNA has received a great deal of interest regarding the concert. Xi Sigma has offered to donate the hors d’oeuvres and the Upfront is helping by donating the venue for Friday’s event.

The NMU radio station, Radio X and Marquette’s station WMQT have run advertisements promoting the event. According to senior and Radio X DJ John Naracon, Radio X will be giving away tickets to the event on-air this week. WMQT also is giving away tickets on-air.

“We’re hoping for success,” Crouse said. “This event is something new so more than anything we’re just trying to spread the word about MCAC.”

The concert begins at 6 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m. Tickets are being sold at Snowbound Bookstore on Third Street, at NMU’s campus at the Bookstore and in the Nursing Technology Center located in room 1609, West Science.

Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for the general public if ticket is purchased in advance and $15 for general public at the door.

Million-dollar mark elusive yet Race for Cure participants effusive about Komen

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ESTERO —
Thousands of people chanted: “I am the cure” as they set off with a mission to spread that knowledge of breast cancer during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Coconut Point in Estero.

“It’s a curable disease if caught in time. If it’s treatable, and we can save your life, I want to be a part of that,” said Sam Galloway Jr., of Galloway Ford’s decision to sponsor and attend the event Saturday, as he has since its inception in 2007.

A controversy over the financial contributions on the national level of the Susan G. Komen Foundation to Planned Parenthood hurt numbers locally.

Breast cancer survivor Mariann MacDonald, 64, who is president of the Southwest Florida Komen affiliate and a premier sponsor with a race team, MYTMac2, said that $690,000 was raised as of just before the race, which had about 7,000 participants signed up in advance.

Those numbers are down from this time last year, but fundraising efforts continue through the end of March and Saturday’s numbers weren’t yet calculated, MacDonald said.

The controversy that received national media attention was unfortunate and unnecessary, event coordinators and participants said.

Galloway said it had no effect on his decision to participate and since the local affiliate didn’t give a cent to Planned Parenthood, he said, it was even further a moot point — or should have been.

Politics and the economy are likely the reason that the event isn’t closer to raising more than $1 million, as it had by the end of March last year, MacDonald said.

“I’m not involved with politics,” MacDonald said. “I’m involved with our vision and mission. Our vision is a world without breast cancer.”

The mission is to inform people that it’s possible.

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“Look at that survivors’ tent,” MacDonald said, pointing in the direction of the tent near the starting line. “You didn’t need a survivors’ tent 20 years ago … They’re dead. That says to me what Komen has done for the past 25 years.”

Survivors and family members were there to keep that trend going.

Survivor Sandy Beeson, 51, of Sarasota, won second place behind Savannah Smith, 25, of Naples, who didn’t show up to the stage to get her medal.

A change in lifestyle just before diagnosis most likely saved Beeson’s life, she said.

She began healthy eating and exercising, leading to losing 50 pounds in 2006. The next year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer that was caught early — something they probably wouldn’t have found if she hadn’t lost the weight, Beeson said.

She participated in her first race as a new survivor at Southwest Florida’s first event in 2007. She placed in the top three that year and every year since.

Knowing nutrition, exercise and weight loss saved her from breast cancer, the silver medal winner said, “If that’s not motivation to stay active, I don’t know what is.”

Susan G. Komen Southwest Florida has contributed millions of dollars to assist uninsured women in Southwest Florida with prevention and care, as well as contributed about 25 percent of their proceeds to national research.

People came from across the country to support survivors in Southwest Florida.

Last year, the race had more than 10,000 participants and raised a record $1.1 million.

“I’m just here thinking about my family,” said Beth Inman, 51, who flew in from New Jersey to join her two sisters and niece for their second time participating in the event at Coconut Point in Estero.

Inman’s sister, Caryl Rumble, 61, of Bonita Springs, had just finished treatment last year when they participated together as a family for the first time. Rumble still finished the longer of the two race options — the 5k.

“I’m just happy to be here,” Rumble said as she set out to walk with her two sisters, Inman, and Kim Mattingly, 54, of Georgia, as well as niece Vanessa Puskar, 42, of New Jersey, who were all donning matching pink feathered hats and shirts painted in graffiti-like lettering that read “Fight like a girl.”

Donations can be made online until March 31 at komenswfl.org or by calling (239) 498-0016.

First ‘Strike Out Breast Cancer’ bowling event announced

Cumberland County’s first “Strike Out Breast Cancer” Bowling Tournament and fundraising event will be Sunday, March 4 through Saturday, March 10 at Plateau Bowling, 864 Highway 70E, Crossville.

All money raised will be sent to the “Bowl for the Cure”, part of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure effort.

The tournament will be divided into two events. 

Members of league teams at Plateau Bowling Lanes will be able to compete with their individual handicap scores during the tournament week. 

The general pubic will be able to compete March 10. 

Anyone, any age, any skill level is encouraged to participate. A bumper lane will be set up for children under ten who would like to participate. The entry fee will apply for children.

Entry fee is $10 per bowler.  Eight dollars of the fee will be donated to the Komen program, and $2 of the entry fee will go to the prize fund.

Prizes will be awarded at the close of the tournament at 4 p.m. March 10.

All league members will participate as single individuals with the $10 entrance fee in addition to the regular league fee for the day. If a person bowls in more than one league, they can enter more than one time. There is an additional $10 fee for each entry. 

Prizes will be awarded to the top five in both men’s singles and women’s singles. League bowlers will use current league average and handicap for scoring and prizes.  All prizes will be based on individual handicap scores. There will be no team or doubles division.

Prizes in the open bowling tournament on Saturday will be awarded to the top three in both men’s singles and women’s singles based on actual scores using a 9-pin, no-tap rule. Nine pins on the first ball will count as a strike

The amount of all prizes will be determined by the number of tournament participants. All tournament participants are eligible to win door prizes at the Saturday main event, but must be present to win. 

At the 4 p.m., Saturday closing ceremony, survivors of breast cancer, those fighting it and memorials for those who succumbed to it, will be recognized.

Sponsors and donors will be thanked, door prizes awarded and the net proceeds will be announced.  The award ceremony for the league bowlers and open bowlers who have competed will follow. 

Event coordinators are Davis, secretary of the Friday Night Mixed League, and Barnwell, program manager at the Cumberland Medical Center Wellness Complex at Crossville.

Registration forms will be available at Plateau Lanes prior to league times and on Saturday prior to 1 p.m. Pre-registration is not necessary. 

Sponsors to date are the Cumberland County Cardiac Support Group; Keim TS, Inc., a trucking company in Kansas; and Swallows Produce on Highway 70N, Crossville.

Businesses or individuals who would like to be a contributor or sponsor should contact Dee Dee Barnwell at 456-8870 or 200-4915 or Elizabeth Davis at 267-3880.