If you haven’t bowled in a while, it’s time to shine up those bowling shoes and dig your bowling ball out of the closet – or wherever else it may be hiding.

Friday, October 12, 2001

If you haven’t bowled in a while, it’s time to shine up those bowling shoes and dig your bowling ball out of the closet – or wherever else it may be hiding.

On Saturday and Sunday, Andrew’s Buddies of the Tri-State will sponsor its fourth-annual "Strike Out SMA With Andrew’s Buddies" bowl-a-thon at Spare Time Recreation in Ironton. All proceeds from the event will go toward spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) research.

SMA is a disease which affects the motor neurons of the spinal cord and brain stem. Without the proper input from the motor neurons, muscle cells cannot function properly. The disease produces weakness in the muscles of the limbs and, in some cases, those used for swallowing and breathing. SMA is the number-one inherited killer of children under two.

Two local girls, Miranda Cremeens, 11, of Kitts Hill, and Lauren Ball, 5, of Ironton, suffer from the disease. Their parents, Rick and Becky Cremeens and Jeff and Beth Ball, formed the local chapter of Andrew’s Buddies four years ago. Since it’s inception, the local group has raised more than $50,000 through events like the bowl-a-thon, rummage sales, car shows and selling raffle tickets.

We can help by supporting events such as the bowl-a-thon. Community members are asked to collect pledge money or make a $10 donation to participate. You can register to bowl on either day.

If you are not athletically inclined or are not a good bowler, you can still help by showing up at the event and by making a contribution. Even if you can only give a little, a bunch of "littles" turn into a lot.

Make plans this weekend to help Andrew’s Buddies "Strike Out SMA." When a community supports an event like this one, the end result is always positive.

And you can be sure that Miranda, Lauren and their parents will appreciate any help you can give them.