The Ballard vs. The Big “C” - Striking Back to Spare More Lives event was a huge success! The fundraiser was held September 15th at AMF Showplace Lanes in Euless, Texas, and raised over $35,000 in the battle against cancer. Bowlers, celebrities and cancer survivors were all on hand to make the event  a smashing success.

In May 2010, Storm PBA Tour representative Del Ballard Jr., heard the word that no one ever wants to hear, the Big “C”- Cancer.  Ballard was diagnosed with tonsil cancer and as of that day, Del's life had forever been changed. Although he had the best care from his doctors at Texas Oncology and Baylor, the need to find a cure for all cancer is an ongoing process. Treatment for Cancer patients before, during and after treatment is an intense set of scheduled appointments that do not stop the day your treatments end. Care can go on for many years depending on how quickly your body heals. 

Cancer Care is an organization that helps patients during the cancer journey along with supplying them with nutritional supplements during and after treatment. Did you know it only takes $25.00 to provide a weeks’ worth of supplements to a patient?

Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center is a brand new state of the art center which opened in March of 2011. The Center treats 6.6 percent of the cancer cases in Texas and is second only to MD Anderson. Sammons provides a patient navigation program in which logistical and emotional assistance is given to each patient throughout their cancer journey and construction plans have been approved for an Innovative Clinical Trials Center that will focus on “precision medicine” an approach in which treatments used will be based upon the unique makeup of the patient’s tumor. 

"I am thankful I had good health insurance, and the support of my family and friends," said Del Ballard. "Many people are not as fortunate, and so, this is our opportunity to help those in need through what we know best; bowling. Over 60 million people a year bowl, and some will be affected by cancer or know someone with cancer.