Author, Ginny Mason
Executive Director, Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation
As the first anniversary of her inflammatory breast cancer diagnosis approached, Julie Bigoski’s family thought about how they could celebrate this important day. It had been a rigorous year of treatments, tests, and challenges but there was light at the end of the tunnel. Julie’s husband, Jack, had become an active part of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation email discussion list since Julie’s diagnosis, finding a “home” where he could get information, share concerns and obtain much needed support and encouragement. When son Tom suggested a bowling fundraiser as a way to celebrate this important one-year milestone, the family agreed it was the perfect way to “give back” for the support they had received and help others in the process.
Tom took the lead, with lots of help and support from his extended family, and proceeded to plan the inaugural IBC Bowling Day for 2004. It was a rousing success raising more than $9600, in spite of their fears as “novice fundraisers.” With this accomplishment the family vowed to make IBC Bowling Day an annual event. Each year they have managed to top the previous year’s donation, and the 5-year total donated to the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation as of August 2008 was $109,719! Amazing … way to go Bigoski Family!!
Saturday, August 15, 2009, while still reeling from Julie’s untimely passing and funeral, family and friends pressed on and the 6th Annual IBC Bowling Day took place as planned. It was important to Julie that the family continue this event even in her absence. Each previous year Julie baked her “famous chocolate cake”, iced and decorated for the occasion to share with the bowlers and others at IBC Bowling Day. It was her way of celebrating her survival and thanking everyone for their support and participation in the event. This year the traditional chocolate cake took a different twist … daughter-in-law Amanda baked and decorated nearly 400 chocolate cupcakes for the event. What a great tribute to her mother-in-law.
Even with the economic woes touching nearly everyone’s lives, this year’s event was another blockbuster and brought in an amazing $29,555!!! All the lanes were booked well in advance of the event and lots of people came just for the raffle. Long tables were set up to handle the dozens of raffle items donated. This year more than 70 raffle items filled the tables and there were additional “high ticket” special raffle items. A $10 ea. or 3/$20 raffle included an autographed McNabb & Akers football helmet, 2 tickets (plus field pass) to Eagles vs. Jaguars, and two sets of 4 Diamond Club Tickets to Phillies vs. Diamondbacks, as well as a beautiful women’s Movado pink face watch. The $5 raffle featured a 2-night stay at the Pan American Hotel in Wildwood Crest, NJ. Not surprising among the most popular standard raffle items ($1/ticket or 6/$5) were the “Lottery Lunacy” baskets and the Wii. In addition there were gift cards, restaurant gift certificates, and an array of theme baskets designed to tempt even the most tight-fisted. A listing appears on the official website for the event at www.ibcbowling.com.
This was the third year that I’ve had the pleasure of attending IBC Bowling Day and accepting the “giant check.” It is amazing to watch how this family plans and orchestrates this event. Each year adds to their knowledge base making the event appear to have a life of its own. Tom and Jack could go “on the road” putting on this event across the country (smile.) This year everything was going so smoothly there was even time for an extra cup of coffee before the crowds arrived. While the event is hosted by the Bigoski immediate family (Jack and grown children Amy, Tom & Steve) their extended family and many friends are an integral part and the event could not happen without their support.
Thanks to the efforts of Steve, the youngest of the Bigoski “kids”, there is a marvelous website (www.ibcbowling.com) where you can learn more about IBC Bowling Day and view photos from all six events. You will see those awesome raffle prizes I described above!! Steve has done a great job designing and developing the website. Note the “save the date” for the 7th IBC Bowling Day is already in place. Mark your calendar for August 21, 2010 and join in the fun at Facenda-Whitaker Lanes in Norristown, PA … guaranteed you won’t regret it, even if you don’t go home with a raffle prize!
While visiting www.ibcbowling.com take a moment to read the “In Loving Memory” tribute to Julie Bigoski, the inspiration for IBC Bowling Day. I was blessed to call this courageous woman my friend and share these past six years with her and her family. This amazing woman touched many people and her presence will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
On behalf of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation I’d like to offer our heartfelt thanks to the Bigoski Family and all who help make IBC Bowling Day such an awesome event. Thanks to you, we are able to focus on research and education, knowing we have folks like you to support the work.
Here are some fun photos from the first IBC Bowling Day in 2004 …
- Tom at the registration desk.
- Information Table (complete with IBC Parasol)
- Raffles…
- … Raffles
- … and more raffles!
- Tom with his family (pictured left to right): Julie, Jack, Amy and Steve.
- Lastly, a little treat from the kitchen of Julie.
Updating...
