The 14th annual Tony O'Rear Bowl for Life, a bowling tournament to fight childhood cancer, will take place Sunday, Feb. 9, at Holiday Bowl, 5518 Brainerd Road. Two sessions are planned, starting at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Over the past 13 years, the event has raised $124,132 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, according to organizers.
Tony O'Rear was 11 years old when he was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia, a disease that prevents bone marrow from producing platelets properly. Despite vigorous treatment, including a bone marrow transplant, Tony developed complications and died at age 12. Since that time, his family and friends have organized the annual event to celebrate his life and the work of the doctors and researchers at St. Jude.
"Although Tony's outcome is not what any parent would want for their child, we are convinced that St. Jude's provided the most outstanding treatment and did everything in their power to save Tony," says Barbara Breedwell, Tony's mom.
"With Bowl for Life, we continue to do all we can to help St. Jude fight the evils of childhood cancer," adds Tony's sister, Kelly O'Rear Sells.
Money is raised through sponsorships and entry fees from participating bowlers. Spectators may attend for free.
TO PARTICIPATE
* Sign up to bowl: Four-member teams may participate for $150 per team. To register, call 423-637-9358. Teams that register in advance will have each member's name included in a prize drawing.
* Sponsor a lane: Names of lane sponsors are put on a banner above the lane. Cost is $150.
* Sponsor a table: Names of table sponsors are displayed on all 40 tables in the bowling center. Cost is $50.