Tom Gillard of Farmers Insurance presents a $36,176 donationWednesday for prostate cancer research to The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota. Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong accepted the donation on behalf of the Institute. The donation was raised March 5 at the second “Bowling for the Battle” fundraiser to support the Institute’s prostate cancer research. Pictured are (left to right) Jason Maschka; Laura Maschka, of Farmers Insurance; Dr. Zigang Dong, of The Hormel Institute; Tom Gillard, Pat Andreas, and Jim Benson, all of Farmers Insurance. Photo provided

A popular fundraiser aimed to roll a strike against cancer recently.

Bowling for the Battle returned to Austin’s Echo Lanes on March 5 to raise both awareness and $36,176 in donations for prostate cancer research at The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota.

“We are overjoyed with the support we have received from friends, family and the community,” Laura Maschka said in a press release. “With advances being made locally in cancer research, it inspires us to raise funds for something we are passionate about — finding a cure for prostate cancer.”

Bowling for the Battle drew 130 bowlers along with many others — nearly all decked out in blue, the color representing prostate cancer — who watched the tournament and participated in prize raffles and auctions.

This year’s event marked the second year Bowling for the Battle supported The Institute.

Last year’s event raised more than $26,000 and was the first contribution to a new fund created in spring 2015 by The Hormel Institute’s Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong to specifically support research into preventing and controlling prostate cancer — the most-common form of cancer diagnosed in American men, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers. Nearly half of The Hormel Institute’s 14 cancer research sections have projects ongoing related to prostate cancer.