A local business is continuing its fundraising efforts to strike back against cancer.
Westlock Bowl is hosting its fifth annual Bowl for Cancer event, which takes place Jan. 15, 16 and 22. The purpose of the charity bowl is to raise money for the Barrhead Community Cancer Centre.
“Because Barrhead’s a neighbouring community, we wanted to get awareness out. No matter where you’re from, cancer has touched everyone,” said Susan Cloutier, who co-owns Westlock Bowl with her husband Don.
Susan lost her mother to cancer 20 years ago and said it’s one of the reasons she’s so excited to participate in the event.
Teams of five must raise a minimum of $400 to participate. Those not wishing to bowl can also donate cash or items for auction.
Students are also encouraged to participate. The classroom that raises the most for the centre will receive a free bowling party.
Last year, the event raised over $33,000 and this year Cloutier said she hopes to do even better — a tall order considering this is her first year organizing the event as the Cloutiers bought the business in May from Carolyn and Garth Kohlsmith, who spearheaded the first Bowl for Cancer in 2012.
The bowl began through participation in a breast cancer fundraiser and quickly blossomed into an annual event.
“Ideas are only as good as the people who back them up and carry them out. We had a good group of bowlers that took it to heart,” Carolyn Kohlsmith said.
“We had businesses in the community that supported it, either by putting in teams to the team challenge event or donating things for auction prizes. The many ways that people contributed, the schools that participated by raising change, to me it’s a wonderful community effort.”
Carolyn lost her sister to cancer in 2000 and she still remembers what a blessing it was to visit the cancer centre in Barrhead instead of driving into Edmonton.
“If you’ve got friends, or relatives going for cancer treatment, it doesn’t take long to realize it’s pretty nice for them to be able to drive the 26 miles to Barrhead instead of going into the city,” she said.
Last year’s donations went to buying four new heated massage chairs for the centre.
“Patients comment on the comfort of the heat and massage from the chairs all of the time,” said Linda Knapp, nurse navigator and clinic nurse at the Barrhead Community Cancer Centre.
This year’s donations will help to cover to cost of renovations at the Barrhead Health Centre. A portion of the building is being converted for use by the cancer centre, increasing the amount of usable space for cancer treatment fourfold.
“Some of the funds will go towards furnishing the different areas within our new centre,” Knapp said.
