Fabulous Four winners compete at 2015 Women's Championships
April 16, 2015
By Wishelle Banks
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Following a whirlwind tour of the International Bowling Campus and Susan. G. Komen® headquarters earlier in the week, the winners of the Bowl for the Cure® Fabulous Four essay contest concluded their five-day journey by hitting the lanes during the opening squad of the 2015 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships last weekend.
The Fabulous Four essay contest was conducted by Bowl for the Cure, the year-round fundraising initiative sponsored by USBC in partnership with Susan G. Komen, to raise awareness about breast cancer. The contest was open to women who have been impacted by breast cancer and/or have been involved in supporting the fight against breast cancer.
Tavawyaha Batts of Waldorf, Maryland, Angel Crosby of Garrett, Indiana, Chelsea Gilliam of Barbourville, Kentucky, and Anne Taku of Santa Cruz, California, had the opportunity to experience the excitement of the opening ceremonies at the Women's Championships as a team.
Following a video introduction, the women helped get the tournament underway at the National Bowling Stadium by throwing out the ceremonial first ball.
"It's absolutely amazing," Crosby said. "It's been a long road to get here, and I'm glad that I kept the fight. I wouldn't change this for the world. I'm still in awe of everything that's happened here, and for us having to go out there and throw that first ball. That was a little scary, but I wouldn't trade that for the world, either."
Gilliam, a collegiate bowling coach at Union College, was joined by her mother on the trip and appreciated how the experience not only let her become closer to another family, but also to compete at the Women's Championships for the first time.
"With the other girls, and our guests, we've all become a big family," Gilliam said. "Our whole family was here, supporting all of us. I am a bowler, and I can't go anywhere without my own stuff. I'm happy with how I did because this is my first time bowling this event. With the atmosphere and having everyone watching us, the adrenaline was different, the attitude was different. We all had fun together, so I'm happy with how it went."
The quartet of survivors agreed both bowling and battling breast cancer requires a team effort.
"We've grown as a family," Taku said. "As women that have come together and loved each other from day one. The minute we met, we're all just part of the Fabulous Four team. It's an incredible experience to be a part of."
The emotional nature of battling breast cancer seems to have only strengthened the Fabulous Four, who experienced nearly a week of camaraderie with bowlers they now consider sisters.
"I really feel blessed to have met these ladies," Batts said. "I didn't bowl that well today, but I had a lot of fun. We all were encouraging each other. What more can you ask for when you're bowling? We all feel like we've known each other awhile. We just bonded and know what each other is going through. It's amazing."
Go to BOWL.com/FabulousFour to learn more about the winners, including their stories.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
About Susan G. Komen®
Susan G. Komen is the world's largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $847 million in research and provided $1.8 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/susangkomen and Twitter @SusanGKomen.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Following a whirlwind tour of the International Bowling Campus and Susan. G. Komen® headquarters earlier in the week, the winners of the Bowl for the Cure® Fabulous Four essay contest concluded their five-day journey by hitting the lanes during the opening squad of the 2015 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships last weekend.
The Fabulous Four essay contest was conducted by Bowl for the Cure, the year-round fundraising initiative sponsored by USBC in partnership with Susan G. Komen, to raise awareness about breast cancer. The contest was open to women who have been impacted by breast cancer and/or have been involved in supporting the fight against breast cancer.
Tavawyaha Batts of Waldorf, Maryland, Angel Crosby of Garrett, Indiana, Chelsea Gilliam of Barbourville, Kentucky, and Anne Taku of Santa Cruz, California, had the opportunity to experience the excitement of the opening ceremonies at the Women's Championships as a team.
Following a video introduction, the women helped get the tournament underway at the National Bowling Stadium by throwing out the ceremonial first ball.
"It's absolutely amazing," Crosby said. "It's been a long road to get here, and I'm glad that I kept the fight. I wouldn't change this for the world. I'm still in awe of everything that's happened here, and for us having to go out there and throw that first ball. That was a little scary, but I wouldn't trade that for the world, either."
Gilliam, a collegiate bowling coach at Union College, was joined by her mother on the trip and appreciated how the experience not only let her become closer to another family, but also to compete at the Women's Championships for the first time.
"With the other girls, and our guests, we've all become a big family," Gilliam said. "Our whole family was here, supporting all of us. I am a bowler, and I can't go anywhere without my own stuff. I'm happy with how I did because this is my first time bowling this event. With the atmosphere and having everyone watching us, the adrenaline was different, the attitude was different. We all had fun together, so I'm happy with how it went."
The quartet of survivors agreed both bowling and battling breast cancer requires a team effort."We've grown as a family," Taku said. "As women that have come together and loved each other from day one. The minute we met, we're all just part of the Fabulous Four team. It's an incredible experience to be a part of."
The emotional nature of battling breast cancer seems to have only strengthened the Fabulous Four, who experienced nearly a week of camaraderie with bowlers they now consider sisters.
"I really feel blessed to have met these ladies," Batts said. "I didn't bowl that well today, but I had a lot of fun. We all were encouraging each other. What more can you ask for when you're bowling? We all feel like we've known each other awhile. We just bonded and know what each other is going through. It's amazing."
Go to BOWL.com/FabulousFour to learn more about the winners, including their stories.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
About Susan G. Komen®
Susan G. Komen is the world's largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $847 million in research and provided $1.8 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/susangkomen and Twitter @SusanGKomen.