We all had a great time at our 1st annual awareness-raising, and fund-raising event; The "Flush Colon Cancer in the Bowl-A-Thon". The event took place on Sunday, May 4th at the Brunswick Zone in Deerfield and was a great success. We had 90 bowlers on 20 teams and took over half of the bowling center. Together, with your support, we raised $14,195!

We were supported by several major companies which provide products or services related to colon cancer. The bowling center also supported us, providing three hours of bowling and shoes for the cost of shoe rental only. Six companies provided a total of $4,000 to pay for the event.

Ethicon makes instruments used during surgery for colon cancer.

Fleet Pharmaceuticals makes Fleets PhosphoSoda, a small volume (3 ounces) bowel prep for use prior to colonoscopy.

Genzyme makes an adhesion barrier used in abdominal surgery.

Myriad Genetics Labs performs genetic testing for hereditary colon cancer.

Pfizer Pharmaceuticals makes Celebrex, an aspirin-like drug that may reduce polyp formation in the colon but is easier on the stomach than aspirin.

Wyeth Co. makes Caltrate, a calcium supplement which may also reduce polyp formation in the colon.

We were very fortunate to be graced by "PolypMan", the American Cancer Society’s annoying character representing the precursor of colon cancer. PolypMan spent the early part of the annoying the bowlers who came to flush him out and flush him away. By the end of the bowl-a-thon, PolypMan was destroyed by gastroenterolgist Dr. Michael Brown in a bowl-off.

PolypMan had to stop being a problem to all the bowlers and leave the bowling center. Once he left, we celebrated by handing out several prizes. A total of 13 prizes were handed out for teams and individuals with the highest number of sponsors and the highest score over 3 games. Cynthia Bednarz received a $100 gift certificate to the spa at Hair Confidence Beauty Salon in Northfield. She raised the most in donations for a single person. Other prizes included a pair of tickets to a Cubs game, a pair of tickets to a White Sox game (both courtesy of ESPN Radio), $30 gift certificates to Best Buy, and $25 gift certificates to Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants.

More important than the fun we had and the money we raised, we are beginning to raise awareness about colon cancer. This was the primary intent of the event. Each bowler wore a specially-designed bowl-a-thon t-shirt during the event, and they can continue to be worn in public to raise awareness. As an additional token of appreciation for everyone’s support, we have sent a license plate frame from the Registry to each bowler and his/her sponsors. This frame provides another opportunity to continue increasing awareness about colon cancer in all the people who see the back of your car. Finally, there can be some use for Chicago traffic!