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June 16, 2012

LOCAL SPORTS: Archery tournament to raise money for breast cancer

By Laura Owens The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — The different ways of raising money for breast cancer has varied greatly in past years. On June 30-July 1, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama is pairing up with bowhunters and archers at the Cullman Community Archery Park to “Bow-Up Against Breast Cancer” and continue in the fight.

The foundation is hoping to raise at least $20,000 from the first-year tournament by charging admission to the public and holding a silent auction. Proceeds will be donated to breast cancer research.

Cameron Mitchell, the mastermind behind this event, said though he’s never had anyone in his family been affected by breast cancer, he felt called to help this cause.

“One night I was praying, and it got placed on my heart to host a tournament for the breast cancer foundation,” he said. “I’ve been thinking of doing it for over a year, and I finally got in touch with the right people.”

Mitchell said he almost immediately jumped online to locate contact information for anyone he thought could help him achieve this goal.

“I found the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, and I sent an email saying I want to host an event, who do I need to talk to?” Mitchell said. “Immediately, Jennifer Galbreath called and inquired about the event. They haven’t hosted a breast cancer event geared towards the outdoors. This fills the void as far as fundraising goes.”

So far, about 50 people have pregistered, but Mitchell said the foundation is expecting between 200-300 participants.

“It’s not just an Alabama event” he said. “I have one lady from Nashville who’s bringing some people down to shoot. I’ve got a coupe of guys from Georgia, so I know three states will represented, but there may be more.”

This archery tournament is 3-D, meaning shooters will take aim at life-like foam targets painted like animals, ranging from smaller critters like armadillos and raccoons to bigger game like bears and mountain lions. Mitchell said UAB is sponsoring one target in the shape of a dragon.

“The range is just like a hunting situation,” he said.

The smaller animals, which are geared for the younger archers participating in the tournament, will be placed nearly 2-3 yards away. The bigger targets will be sitatuated at ranges closer to 60 yards away. Mitchell said he anticipates competitors to be as young as 5 and as old as 70.

Silent auction items up for grabs will include trips to Orange Beach, one for a beach vacation and another for a hunting vacation, as well as two youth deer hunts and a wild boar hunt.  Mitchell said there will also be a few autographed items, ranging from Alabama and Auburn memorabilia to shirts and hats signed by the hosts of the show “The Bone Collectors.”

While Mitchell admitted the set goal of $20,000 might be overly ambition for the tournament’s first year, he said the foundation has already raised $13,000 from sponsorships and donations.

Mitchell didn’t know much about breast cancer before working on this event, but what he’s found out in that time has shocked him.

“I’ve found out it doesn’t just affect women,” he said. “Even men could get it, which I didn’t know was possible.”

He said past statistics showed 4 out of 5 women died from breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease. While some studies Mitchell has seen claims that number is now down to 1 out of 5, he still thinks that rate is too high.

“It dawned on me: what if one of my sisters or my mother or my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer,” he said. “It put it in perspective. It’s not just an archery tournament we’re holding. We’re really trying to find a cure for these people. We all know people who have been diagnosed and lost their lives to it. Whatever we can do as bowhunters and Alabamians to give back and find a cure, I think we can.”

Laura Owens can be reached at 256-732-2131, ext. 258 or at lowens@cullmantimes.com.

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