Englewood Herald > News
Bowlers join together to strike cancer
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| Chris Nunley makes his approach Nov. 18 as one of the Englewood High School students taking part in the "Kick Cancer to the Gutter" bowl-a-thon. The event was organized to raise money to help Mark McKee meet the medical bills that have piled up as he has had two brain tumors removed and is going through chemotherapy for the third time in his battle with cancer. Photo by Tom Munds |
By Tom Munds
Pink Ladies, cheerleaders, masked bandits and even a rock band joined a lot of “regular people” who pounded the pins Nov. 18 during the Kick Cancer in the Gutter bowl-a-thon.
It was a festive affair. Groups of students formed teams and some sported “uniforms” to signal their membership as they competed for prizes. Some were easily identified. The Pink Ladies had bright pink T-shirts and the cheerleaders wore cheerleader uniforms. Even a group of teachers got in on the fun as they came dressed as members of the rock band, ZZ Top.
The bowl-a-thon was held to raise money to help 32-year-old Mark McKee fight his continuing battle with brain cancer.
The fund drive took off and grew into the Nov. 18 event at the AMF Bowling Center in the 5400 block of South Broadway.
Englewood High School students and teachers joined McKee’s friends and family at the event. About 170 people attended the event, which raised more than $4,000 for McKee, who had no health insurance.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed by all of this effort in my behalf,” McKee said as he gazed over the crowd at the bowl-a-thon. “I guess I am most impressed that so many teens came out to take part in this tonight, to raise money to help someone they didn’t even know. I can’t begin to express my gratitude to everyone who is taking part in this event. It almost leaves me speechless.”
McKee, who said he feels pretty well, had been battling astrocytomas, a form of brain cancer. He has had two brain tumors removed. The last was a class-4 tumor, the same type U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy had removed from his brain. McKee also is currently undergoing his third round of chemotherapy. While he is still working at a flooring company, his battle is compounded by the fact medical insurance will not cover all the cancer treatments.
Brook Straughan learned of her friend’s problems and wanted to do something to help him with his battle with cancer.
“Just in passing, I mentioned Mark’s battle with cancer and his mounting medical bills to my class and the kids got excited and wanted to help him,” the Englewood High School teacher said. “They sold cupcakes and rubber bracelets but wanted to do more. Someone came up with the idea of the bowl-a-thon and the thing really took off.”
The Nov. 18 event raised about $4,000. Straughn said the fundraising effort continues and donations can be made out to the Mark McKee Benefit Fund and deposited at any Wells Fargo Bank or, for information, call Straughn at 303-806-2234,
EHS students formed teams, competing for prizes, and worked to raise money for the project.
“This just seemed to be something I wanted to do,” Jacob Lowder, EHS junior, said as he finished bowling. “I wanted to help Mark as he battles cancer because I have lost family members to cancer to it’s a big deal to help him. I’m not a very good bowler but I’m having fun and it makes me feel good to know I am doing this to help a guy fight and hopefully beat cancer.”
Holly Frazier, an EHS freshman, said she attended the bowl-a-thon because she, too, wanted to help McKee.
“I like to help people and I wanted to be part of this project,” she said. “I don’t know Mark but I still want to help him fight cancer. Tonight was a lot of fun and I feel good being a part of it because I did something to help someone.”
It was a festive affair. Groups of students formed teams and some sported “uniforms” to signal their membership as they competed for prizes. Some were easily identified. The Pink Ladies had bright pink T-shirts and the cheerleaders wore cheerleader uniforms. Even a group of teachers got in on the fun as they came dressed as members of the rock band, ZZ Top.
The bowl-a-thon was held to raise money to help 32-year-old Mark McKee fight his continuing battle with brain cancer.
The fund drive took off and grew into the Nov. 18 event at the AMF Bowling Center in the 5400 block of South Broadway.
Englewood High School students and teachers joined McKee’s friends and family at the event. About 170 people attended the event, which raised more than $4,000 for McKee, who had no health insurance.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed by all of this effort in my behalf,” McKee said as he gazed over the crowd at the bowl-a-thon. “I guess I am most impressed that so many teens came out to take part in this tonight, to raise money to help someone they didn’t even know. I can’t begin to express my gratitude to everyone who is taking part in this event. It almost leaves me speechless.”
McKee, who said he feels pretty well, had been battling astrocytomas, a form of brain cancer. He has had two brain tumors removed. The last was a class-4 tumor, the same type U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy had removed from his brain. McKee also is currently undergoing his third round of chemotherapy. While he is still working at a flooring company, his battle is compounded by the fact medical insurance will not cover all the cancer treatments.
Brook Straughan learned of her friend’s problems and wanted to do something to help him with his battle with cancer.
“Just in passing, I mentioned Mark’s battle with cancer and his mounting medical bills to my class and the kids got excited and wanted to help him,” the Englewood High School teacher said. “They sold cupcakes and rubber bracelets but wanted to do more. Someone came up with the idea of the bowl-a-thon and the thing really took off.”
The Nov. 18 event raised about $4,000. Straughn said the fundraising effort continues and donations can be made out to the Mark McKee Benefit Fund and deposited at any Wells Fargo Bank or, for information, call Straughn at 303-806-2234,
EHS students formed teams, competing for prizes, and worked to raise money for the project.
“This just seemed to be something I wanted to do,” Jacob Lowder, EHS junior, said as he finished bowling. “I wanted to help Mark as he battles cancer because I have lost family members to cancer to it’s a big deal to help him. I’m not a very good bowler but I’m having fun and it makes me feel good to know I am doing this to help a guy fight and hopefully beat cancer.”
Holly Frazier, an EHS freshman, said she attended the bowl-a-thon because she, too, wanted to help McKee.
“I like to help people and I wanted to be part of this project,” she said. “I don’t know Mark but I still want to help him fight cancer. Tonight was a lot of fun and I feel good being a part of it because I did something to help someone.”
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