Joyce Olson-Burpee - Bowl for the Cure Tournament Director

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Finding a Breast Cancer Cure is Personal to Joyce Olson-Burpee

Olson-Burpee Organizes Bowling Fundraiser in Memory of Aunt Who Died of Can

January 20, 2008
By: O. J. Cunningham

Joyce Olson-Burpee is a busy lady these days.

Burpee is getting sponsors, calling everyone in town with a building marquee and picking up gifts for an auction.

Why?

It's only one week 'til the start of the "Bowl for the Cure" bowling tournament in Bay City. And Olson-Burpee is the Tournament Director for the 2008 event. "I'm trying to get the tournament message on as many business marquees as I can," she said.

Last year, Olson-Burpee raised just over $800 for the Bowl for the Cure Fundraiser. This year, she's got the support of the local bowling association.

And this year, she's got her sights set a little higher.

"I was pretty much a 'one-man-band' last year," Olson-Burpee said. Olson-Burpee is passionate about finding a cure for breast cancer because about seven years ago, she lost a very close aunt to the disease. "My aunt Sandra Gallagher Gugin died of breast cancer in October of 2000 at age 60," Olson-Burpee said emotionally. "I started this tournament in her memory."

Olson-Burpee said that in the Spring of 2007, she saw a flyer about a bowling-breast cancer fundraiser and the idea just "clicked" in her head.

"It was such a perfect fit for me," Olson-Burpee said. "I love bowling and I'm passionate about fighting breast cancer," she said. "I guess the rest is (as they say) history," she added.

In 2007, Olson-Burpee hurriedly organized a tournament at Washington Place and had the event during the day on St. Patrick's Day. "We had a pretty good turn-out," Olson-Burpee said. "But I knew it could be much better."

This year, the local USBC Bowling Association is supporting her effort. And, Olson-Burpee has another bowling house involved -- Alert Lanes.

"We're so happy to be involved," said Cheryl Beyett of Alert. "Joyce is doing such a super job on this tournament," Beyett went on. "We're just proud to be a part of it," Beyett said.

Olson-Burpee said the biggest sponsor of the event is DBS Companies - her employer. DBS is a CPA firm. "DBS's Ted Schumann is totally behind this fundraiser," Olson-Burpee said. She went on to say that Schumann and DBS have donated money toward prizes and allowed her time away from the job to take care of administrative details.





Entry Fee is $18 per bowler for the TEAM EVENT. Entry Fee is $22 per bowler for the SINGLES.

The bowling is open to anyone, even un-sanctioned bowlers. Un-sanctioned men will be given a 175 average and women will be assigned 140. The tournament features a 9-Pin NO-Tap format. There will also be raffles and drawings going on during each event.

The local USBC association, which is fully behind the "Bowl for the Cure" project will be holding a 50/50 raffle this upcoming week (January 21) in an effort to raise awareness of the event. "We'll try to get to every league during the week with our 50/50 so that everyone knows what we've got going as far as the fundraiser is concerned," Besaw said.

Bowl for the Cure is a nationwide breast cancer awareness and fund-raising initiative sponsored by the United States Bowling Congress. Through the efforts of bowlers across the country, Bowl for the Cure has raised more than $6 million since its inception in the 2000-01 bowling season. All funds raised benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.


Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.

In 1982, the promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world?s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.

For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer,visit http:/./www.komen.org or call 1-800 I'M AWARE.


http://www.Baycitybowling.com
The Bay City USBC Association Website

http://www.mistatebowl.com
The MI State USBC Association Website


http://www.msyaba.com
The MI State USBC Youth Association Website

http://www.michwba.com
The MI State USBC Women's Association Website

http://www.tcycl.com
Tri City Youth Classic League Website