Bowlers take aim at arthritis relief

Jan. 26--Behind the thundering clap of bowling pins and bowling balls, Arthritis Community Services aimed to strike out some needs for arthritis relief in Northwest Missouri on Sunday.

The annual Arthritis Community Services Big Easy Bowl-A-Thon kicked off with roughly 100 bowlers with sights on raising money for the regional arthritis center at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. With thousands of individuals, ranging from children to senior citizens, who suffer from varied joint inflammation, Dr. Wendell Bronson said the benefits of the fundraiser reach throughout the region.

"Through Arthritis Community Services, we support a variety of programs around Northwest Missouri," he said, adding that the organization provides several classes throughout the region for community members, often times free of charge. "We also have land-based exercise classes, education programs that people can go to and there are several exercise classes around Northwest Missouri, specifically designed for people with arthritis."

Held inside Olympia Lanes, located at 2414 N. Belt Highway, bowlers dressed in colorful beads, feathered boas and sequin masks for the festivities and in collaboration of the Mardi Gras theme. In the middle of the fun, bowler Janice Karr, of Union Star, Mo., acted as captain of her team, but remembered the importance of the event.

"I've worked with Dr. Wendell Bronson for 16 years in the arthritis specialty and rheumatology," she said. "We see a wide variety of patients with arthritis, osteoarthritis and immune disorders ... and immune disorders is a very serious disease that affects an increasing number of people throughout the world and in Northwest Missouri."

Ms. Karr said as communities age, the number of individuals with immune disorders like arthritis can increase. In participating in the bowl-a-thon, she said she felt privileged to bring additional resources to community members in the area.

Ms. Karr's team members, completed with her husband, Gene Karr, and fellow Union Star friends Jim and Michelle Coffey, teased each other about bowling frames and final scores. About 18 teams took part in the fundraiser that helped provide heath services to arthritis patients.

"There are a lot of family and friends of people who have arthritis here to try and raise awareness and trying to raise some funds to try and help improve the quality of life for people with arthritis," Dr. Bronson said.

Bowlers and friends also were treated to silent auction of dozens of items, a Mardi Gras mask contest, colorful mascots, food, refreshments and photos throughout the three-hour bowl-a-thon. Organizers estimated that the event typically raises $5,000 to $10,000 to benefit patients.

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