Students from the UA College of Pharmacy hit the lanes in an effort to strike against breast cancer on Saturday at Golden Pin Lanes.
Students paid $10 for three hours of unlimited bowling at the college’s Bowl for the Cure event.
“”All the money we are raising today is going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is an organization that fights breast cancer,”” said second-year pharmacy student Carrie Hammer, who was one of the event’s organizers.
The event was organized by six students and put together through the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists, according to Hammer.
“”We are really proud of them for doing it,”” said John Murphy, associate dean of the College of Pharmacy. “”And hey, it’s fun!””
Bowl for the Cure is one of many philanthropy events the College of Pharmacy hosts annually.
“”Our friend Matt [Bertsch] is a huge bowler, so he wanted to put an event together,”” said second-year pharmacy student and event organizer, Alicia Ortega. Bertsch, also a second-year pharmacy student, said he had been a registered bowler with the United States Bowling Congress before and became inspired to do put together a Bowl for the Cure event while searching the United States Bowling Congress’ Web site.
“”The manager here at Golden Pin Lanes really helped a lot,”” Bertsch added.
Bertsch said Bowl for the Cure does not focus on raising the most money, but knows that every dollar and sign of support helps the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southern Arizona Affiliate annual fundraising goal of $1 million.
“”It’s definitely a great cause,”” said second-year pharmacy student and event organizer Janssen Puracan. “”It’s a huge foundation.””
In addition to raising money through bowling, the event also held a 50-50 raffle where half of the money went to the winner and half to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The four runners-up in the raffle received Starbucks gift cards.
Bowl for the Cure is sponsored by the Bowling Foundation, the United States Bowling Congress and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.