Bowling for Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Philanthropy can come at any age. Parents try to teach their children to give, share with others, and honor their elders. Bryan Evans’s parents have much to be proud of in their 17 year-old son.

Bryan was touched by cancer at an early age. In March 2002, his grandfather, Charles Finegan, passed away from colon cancer. The lost of his beloved grandfather was difficult for Bryan, and he channeled those emotions into the driving force in his life, creating the first annual Bowling for Colon Cancer Awareness fundraiser benefiting the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Bryan, a senior at Sachem East High School in New York, organized the event to not only to raise money for colon cancer education, but also to spread the message of colorectal cancer awareness and its preventable nature throughout his community. Bryan felt strongly about this awareness and prevention message so his friends and family would not have to suffer the loss of a loved one unnecessarily.

Bowling for Colon Cancer Awareness was held on June 6th 2009 at the newly renovated Bowl Long Island on West Avenue in Patchogue New York. The event sold slots and raffle tickets to bowlers and spectators, and provided patrons with soft drinks, subs, prizes and music. Donated raffle prizes included a 32″ flat screen TV, NIKONTM digital camera and a Bowl Long Island gift basket.

The funds raised were donated to the Foundation to help support the Foundation’s National Colorectal Awareness campaign, which reaches out to communities across the nation and works with health care professionals at all levels to spread the word that colorectal cancer is “preventable, treatable and beatable!”

“Over 90 percent of colorectal cancer cases can be cured if detected and treated early,” explains Jan Bresch Mahrer, the Foundation’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Because of supporters like Bryan, the Foundation is able to educate the public on how they can reduce their colorectal cancer risk, and how following screening guidelines and early detection the mortality rate can significantly decrease their risks.”

Nearly 80 bowlers participated in this first-time event. Raffle ticket sales and the two 50/50 games raised over $4,000 for colon cancer prevention and awareness in memory of Charles Finegan.