StrikeOut Cancer bowling fundraiser to honour Montrealer’s late mother
Posted April 23, 2023 5:18 pm.
Last Updated April 23, 2023 6:59 pm.
The StrikeOut Cancer Fund hosted its 10th bowl-a-thon on Sunday.
The goal was to raise $10,000, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help grant the wishes of children with cancer.
“We’re here today to make as many kids’ wishes come true,” said founder Anthony Pacella.
“This is our 10th one and it’s our ninth one actually at this bowling alley. And it’s kind of ironic because next week the bowling alley is closing down. So it’s like the last strike potentially for this event and as well for the bowling alley.”
READ MORE: Quebecer keeping mother’s legacy alive by helping others battle cancer
Pacella founded the fundraiser in commemoration of his mother Maria Melillo Pacella, who passed away from stage four lung cancer in 2011 when he was only 15 years old.
Founder Anthony Pacella at StrikeOut Cancer’s 10th annual bowl-a-thon on April 23, 2023, in Laval. (Alan Sukonnik/CityNews)
Pacella says the fundraiser has made the wishes of nine sick children come true so far.
“We have had wishes come true like going to Disneyland, that’s like the biggest one,” he said. “But we have done also MarineLand. We have done to go see sea animals in the Bahamas and to go to Thailand to see elephants.”
The fundraiser raised money by selling admission tickets to more than 200 people. Participants played three bowling games at Centre de Quilles 440 in Laval while also getting food and prizes.
