The second annual Bowling 4 Boobs fundraiser is officially in the books.
Kim Karges, Chair of the West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation, says the event saw an “amazing” turnout with over 60 people split over nine teams.
Organized by Moose FM, Georgian Lanes and the foundation, the event raises awareness and support for the Highest Priority needs of the hospital’s Breast Cancer Program.
Karges says the event raised about $6,000, almost twice the amount raised last year.
“Every penny raised for our West Parry Sound Health Center is absolutely needed. Keeping our equipment and our services with the most up-to-date technology really does create capacity and it really does provide exceptional patient experiences,” she says.
Karges says the top pledging team was in and around the $2000 mark.
“There was also one pledge for $900. The pledges themselves were closer to $4000 with our entrance fees rounding out another $2000 and of course the raffle also brought in about $1000,” she says.
According to Karges the money will go towards two key priorities the hospital currently has.
“We need two fetal monitors. That’s a priority. Our fetal monitors have run out. They’re expired and we really need to replace them. We also have upgrades required in our operating rooms. Our operating room beds are really in need of replacement. And of course emergency care and mental health hub care are very critical as well right now,”
Karges says a single fetal monitor typically comes with a $52,000 price tag. She says they’re a big expense, but absolutely critical to creating better healthcare for children.
Looking forward, Karges says she’s very excited for next year’s event. She says the plan is to do a little bit more for the family bowling, which was new this year.
But as far as the Evening Bowl went, she says it was really good to see the teams come in organized and raising money in a big way.
Karges thanked the community for coming out, as well as Moose FM’s Kathy Jennings who she says initiated this project and inspired the whole community.
“It was amazing. All of the businesses in the community provided some sort of support, whether it be with food, with them Items for our draw. It was absolutely well supported and well attended,” she says.