Help knock out breast cancer at Bowling for Boobs event in Vail on Thursday

Bowling for Boobs, the popular fundraiser for the Vail Breast Cancer Group, returns after a brief hiatus in the organization’s 30-year history and will bring teams and spectators to Deca+Bol at Solaris in Vail Village on Thursday as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Vail Breast Cancer Group, formerly known as the Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group, was founded by Brenda Himelfarb and Patti Weinstein in 1994 to help Eagle County women and men (yes, men can get breast cancer, too) who were diagnosed with the disease. A fashion show luncheon was held in July of 1994 and the keynote speaker was newscaster Linda Ellerbee. Former First Lady and Vail Valley resident Betty Ford was one of the models in the fashion show, which featured survivors of breast cancer.

The luncheon event continued for 25 years and hosted Dr. Susan Love, Elizabeth Edwards, Giuliana and Bill Rancic, Dorothy Hamill and Joan Lunden, who spoke at the final luncheon in 2019. Other events included the Snowshoe Shuffle, Run for the Hills and Bowling for Boobs.

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Fast forward to this year when Brielle Stockton, who is a breast cancer survivor and former board member of Vail Breast Cancer Group, asked to bring back the Bowling for Boobs event.

“My sister was diagnosed this year and that prompted me to reach out to Brenda Himelfarb to ask about the Vail Breast Cancer Group and its current efforts to raise awareness and support for patients needing care,” Stockton said. “I asked if it would be possible to bring back one of our events during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, for this purpose. Brenda initiated a meeting with the Vail Valley Charitable Fund and they immediately jumped on board to help make Bowling for Boobs happen again.” 

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In 2020, the Vail Breast Cancer Group became a subgroup of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, which helps locals in need during a medical crisis.

“Money donated to the Vail Breast Cancer Group is dedicated to supporting individuals diagnosed with breast cancer, and more specifically mammograms for uninsured locals in the valley,” said Brooke Skjonsby, the executive director of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund.  

“Any initiative that helps patients get the screenings or treatment they need, but would otherwise not have access, is a great service to our community,” Stockton said. “Our goal is to fundraise so that we can support uninsured patients needing follow-up or routine mammograms, which can be cost prohibitive.” 

Stockton also stresses how early detection and self-exams save lives, including hers.

“This is exactly how I found my own cancer at 33 years old. Self-exams cost nothing and can alert women — and, yes, men too — to abnormal changes that need further screening,” Stockton said.

Teams for this Thursday’s Bowling for Boobs are already sold out with 20 teams competing in a tournament-style event from 5 to 9 p.m. but there still are spectator tickets you can purchase for $50 that will give you access to the event, a signature cocktail, light appetizers and the silent auction. A few signature items in the silent auction include a rose gold pave diamond baby bear necklace from Golden Bear, a gift certificate for two nights of lodging at Beaver Creek from East West Resorts, a 50-minute massage or facial from Spa Anjali at The Westin Riverfront Resort and gift certificates to local restaurants like Sweet Basil, Russell’s and Vendetta’s and cool items for anyone who likes to fly-fish.

“I am thrilled that our Vail Breast Cancer Group is still helping those in the valley who are diagnosed with breast cancer, but certainly disappointed that, so far, there is no cure,” Brenda Himelfarb said. Himelfarb is also a breast cancer survivor. “Bowling for Boobs is an event that brings people together for a great cause. It’s an unspoken celebration of sorts: a reminder of those who have passed away from the disease and, additionally, a celebration of survivors.”

For more information, go to VVCF.org/Events.