Mr. Alton Dorsey
December 2, 2009Margarette Jones
December 4, 2009
This weekend the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will hold its 20th annual Bowl-for-Breath fundraiser from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Creole Lanes on Tunnel Boulevard in Houma.
The nationwide event helps raise money for the research programs of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to help find cures for the disease.
Cystic fibrosis is a fatal disease that causes lung infections, permanent lung damage and impairs the digestive system. The life expectancy for the average person with cystic fibrosis is mid-30s.
According to event organizer Jed Pitre, the CFF is a nonprofit organization that helps assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and improve the quality of life for those with the disease.
“My initial business of it was to raise money for the foundation, but my wife and her family takes over and does the themes to spruce things up,” he said. “We like the time of the year. It’s not too close to Christmas and it is towards the end of football season so it has got a nice little niche.”
Before Katrina, Bowl-for-Breath events could be found across the state.
However, Houma is the only one to resurrect the day of bowling.
Pitre and his wife Robbin, got involved with the program 14 years ago when their daughter, Andree’ Pitre turned six.
They eventually took over the program and have watched it continue to grow ever since.
“Each year it keeps growing and we have been fortunate enough to have enough door prizes to give to all the bowlers but from what I understand, my employer Capital One is going to bring a ton of employees out there this year,” he explained. “We hope to have enough stuff to give away to have their fun and still be part of it.”
A silent auction containing Saints merchandise autographed by Bobby Hebert and LSU merchandise autographed by football coach Les Miles and baseball coach Paul Mainieri will also take place.
Several Tri-parish residents have been diagnosed.
Three will be at the Bowl-for-Breath, including Andree’, South Lafourche High School teenager Dylan Danos and Houma native Samuel Pitre.
Samuel’s father, Billy said cystic fibrosis was an eye-opening experience for him and his family. Therefore, they wanted to get involved with the cause in any way possible.
They are entering their fifth year of participating in the Bowl for Breath.
“It’s three hours of fun,” Billy Pitre said. “It’s a very large bowling alley. Every year is a theme, this year is sports. Everyone has to wear their sports attire. We hold a raffle, have a lot of fun and raise to the CFF. Everything goes to them.
“This is something that has affected the whole family. It’s changed the way we have to do our daily routines to take care of Samuel and tend to his needs. I got involved because I wanted to help as much as I can.”
With the money raised from the event, 92 percent of it goes to helping develop drugs to control cystic fibrosis, Jed Pitre said.
“It’s $25 per bowler,” he said. “Each bowler allowed three games and go towards shoes. We have a special deal with Creole Lanes and they are eligible for door prizes that we will give out throughout the event. If someone wants their name and business on a sign then that is $200. It all goes to the CFF. This is all for them.”
Anyone interested in participating in the event can contact Jed Pitre at (985) 632-5757 or (985) 632-3604.
They can also contact Billy Pitre at (985) 633-4690.
Donations are accepted and can be made payable to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and mailed to the Louisiana Chapter at 4261 West Napoleon Ave., Suite 207, Metairie, La. 70001.
All donations are tax deductible and for more information visit www.cff.org.
