Bowling fundraiser earns nearly $48K for cancer research

Published 10:22 am Thursday, March 30, 2017

Organizers and supporters of “Bowling for the Battle” raised $47,736 for prostate cancer research for The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota.

Tom Gillard, founder of the annual event and Farmers Insurance Agency owner, said it all started a few years ago with an idea.

“We always did something to support a charitable organization and I thought ‘how about The Hormel Institute’,” said Gillard, a prostate cancer survivor.  “Immediately my friend Tom Wiechmann, of Reichel Foods, said ‘if you do that, we’ll match the first $5,000.’”

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The event, held on March 4 at Echo Lanes,  thanks to hundreds of friends and businesses in the community.

Reichel Foods has been a major supporter contributing a $7,500 match the past two years. With this year’s donation, Bowling for the Battle has raised $110,512 for The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota’s prostate cancer research fund.  With annual support from The Hormel Foundation, 100 percent is directed to research and none to administrative costs.

“Prostate cancer research really is a success story and shows research results in lives being extended and health protected,” said Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong. “With early detection and the advances in therapies and prevention, the outcome has been affected and we are making important progress. Supporting research indeed is a gift for everyone.”

“The support that “Bowling for the Battle” has received from friends, family and the community is overwhelming,” said Laura Maschka, Gillard’s daughter. “ Our family is passionate about finding a cure for prostate cancer and the support we receive inspires us to keep raising funds for research. We are fortunate to have The Hormel Institute in our community and making progress in prostate cancer research.”