By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.
In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.
Since the inception of Bowl for the Cure in the 2000-01 season, USBC bowlers have raised nearly $5 million toward the fight against breast cancer. This season, USBC is challenging its members to raise a record $1 million.
Thanks to the help of Chris Marlin, local bowlers will get their chance to help in the fight against breast cancer.
"I saw (the information) on the USBC website (www.bowl.com) and thought that it would be a great thing to do. I spoke with the rest of the Niles USBC Women's Bowling Association and they agreed, so I proceeded to work with Joey Armadillo's Management to get it setup," Marlin said.
Bowl for the Cure will take place on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Joey Armadillo's from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
"We picked Joey's because most of us bowl there already and we've worked with them to have other tournaments with success and we wanted to keep it local. We picked February because it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month," Marlin said.
Bowl for the Cure is a year-round fund-raising and breast cancer awareness initiative sponsored by USBC in partnership with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
USBC leagues across the nation organize Bowl for the Cure events in February, often designating one bowling session to donate a specific amount, such as one penny per pin, or by staging pledge nights, raffles and auctions. Whether on a large or small scale, each donation helps make a difference.
"You bowl for each other and you bowl for people everywhere who have been touched by breast cancer. You are making a difference in the world." Cindy Schneible, Komen Foundation vice president of cause related marketing and sponsorship, said.
All proceeds raised from the events go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
"We make nothing and neither does Joey Armadillo's for hosting as they are donating all the lineage for bowling fees back to the cure," Marlin said.
However, Marlin said the event will help locally, as a certain percentage of the funds go to the South West Michigan Affiliates of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which is located in Kalamazoo, but supports Berrien and Cass counties along with other SW Michigan Counties.
Saturday's Bowl for the Cure event will feature miscellaneous door prize giveaways that businesses donated, along with gifts from the Komen Foundation, 50/50 raffles, raffling off the USBC Pink Bowl for the Cure Bowling Ball and just having a great time bowling 3 games of 9-Pin/No Tap with over 100 family and friends, Marlin said.
To contribute to Bowl for the Cure in your community, contact Chris Marlin of the Niles USBC WBA at marlin505@hotmail.com or at 684-5482. For more information, visit bowl.com and click on Bowl for the Cure or call (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3125.