For the past six years a group of friends and family that refer to themselves as “Zach’s Buddies” meet regularly to talk about strikes. These strikes are those that could earn you a perfect game but also one that can help cure a fatal genetic disease, cystic fibrosis. Among this group of Zach’s Buddies is United States Bowling Congress (USBC) & Madison Bowl & Associate’s own George Dorn.

You may know George from his years as a USBC Officer, serving since 1987. George currently holds the vice president’s seat. However, in Zach’s Buddies he is one of many fighting to save the lives of thousands living with cystic fibrosis. Inspired by Zach Morris, the group has created, quite successfully, Bowl For Breath, a nine-pin tap bowling tournament benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

As a dear friend to Zach’s grandparents, who started the event, George has known Zach for years – through the ups and downs, Zach’s hospital visits and his evolution as a 5th grade star football player. Zach was diagnosed at birth with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease, which affects approximately 30,000 children and young adults in the United States. This disease causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus which clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. Zach currently takes multiple enzymes daily with all meals and snacks, undergoes regular chest therapies, and makes regular visits to physicians at UW Hospitals & Clinic to manage his disease. Currently, the life expectancy is 38.7 years. While recent efforts have proven successful in finding various methods to combat the disease, a cure has not yet been found.

For George and the rest of Zach’s Buddies “nothing could be more important than making a difference in the life of a child.” On Saturday, January 31st, 2009, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Rude’s Lanes in Deforest will host Bowl for Breath (http://madison.cff.org/bowlforbreath). This tournament is designed to appeal to a variety of bowling enthusiasts with a goal of raising $26,000 towards CF research. Just $25 per bowler or $125 per team.

Register today by visiting http://madison.cff.org/bowlforbreath. Can’t bowl? You can still make a difference inthe life of a child by donating. Click the donate button or send a donation to 2990 Cahill Main, Ste 202 Madison, WI 53711

For those young bowling enthusiasts out there, and for those raising bowling enthusiasts we have an event just for you! On Sunday, February 22nd Rude’s Lanes will be hosting our Youth Bowl For Breath/Family Fun Day. To participate collect or donate a minimum of $25.

Bowl For Breath is part of a nationwide fight against this disease. Over 90 cents of every dollar raised is made available for CF research, care and medical programs – which makes every dollar go that much further in Zach’s life. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (www.cff.org) and thousands of families across the country hope you will support us in making a life-changing difference – finding a cure for CF!