Zanesville bowlers strike out breast cancer

ZANESVILLE, OH- Bowlers took aim at breast cancer in Zanesville today. The 10th annual Strike Out Breast Cancer Tournament raised $7,500 for the Genesis Cancer Center.

This year’s “Faith Over Fear” theme inspired dozens of participants to lend a helping hand. Jim Watson, owner of “The Barn,” helped coordinate T-shirt sales and also presented a $1,000 check at the event.

“It’s really evolved to be a really big event, I always say this, I remember the first year we did it we donated a $500 check and I was like wow we gotta do better than that, and it has just grown a lot, but we didn’t do that, we have just laid the playing field for it, the community that has reached out and participated and sponsored, that’s what they have done,” said Tammy Hildenbrand , Chair Person for Strike Out Breast Cancer and 10 year breast cancer survivor.

The event continues to gain momentum thanks to local businesses and devoted volunteers who keep coming back year after year.

“It helps us raise money to buy wigs and donate items to patients who can’t afford them, it’s also open to the public so you do not have to be a cancer survivor or a patient at genesis to come into the boutique and purchase things, they have tons of stuff,” said Brooke Forker, Manager at the Genesis Cancer Center.

Bowlers today wore pink and cheered each other on to show the close support of the community.

“The bowling community is a family, when anything happens, we all come together, and we help each other out, that’s what we’re all about, we’re trying to give back to the bowlers as much as we can,” said Tammy Besser, Zanesville United States Bowling Congress President.

The event will strike again next year to continue its mission to support breast cancer patients across the area for their 11th tournament in February of 2026.