Bowling For Breast Cancer: Senior Women Raise Awareness
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A large women's bowling league, compromised of African American seniors, wear each year pink bowling shirts to raise awareness of breast cancer rates among senior citizens.
The league of women, consists of about 50 senior ladies with an average age of 87, bowl 32 Thursdays a year at Skyway Bowl, at 99th and Torrence Avenue.
In honor of October being breast cancer awareness month, the women wear pink bowling shirts. There are several survivors in their group, WBBM's Mike Krauser reports.
Tommie O'Bannon has been bowling for about 25 years.
"We're just having a good time," O'Bannon said. "We bowl 32 weeks a year, at 10 a.m. every Thursday. We've got some bowlers that are 94-years old."
Mary Thompson, 76 is a breast cancer survivor. She wears a shirt reading, 'Bad Girls.'
"I mentor anyone who is going through any type of cancer," Thompson said. "If you think positive, you can pull through it."
95-year-old Jean Smith has been bowling for 35 years. She said her secret is to just keep moving.
"I enjoy it very much," Smith said. "Getting up, getting out."
Shirley Crossley is a seven-year survivor, and said she is "going to make it."
"I am 78-years-old," Crossley said. "I bowl in four leagues; I am in three senior clubs…it keeps you from getting dementia."
The women believe staying active, keeps them young.
