USBC Women's Championships 'Rally For Aly' team underscores importance of early cancer detection

5/17/2006



By Bob Sagan USBC Communications

RENO, Nev. - The Rally For Aly team from Wichita, Kan., is bowling for more than high scores at the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships presented by the Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus. The team is bringing attention to the importance of early cancer detection.

Formerly known as Just For Fun, the team was renamed last fall, shortly after eight-year-old Alyxandria Yates, daughter of team member Brenda Yates, was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma (Rhabdo), a bone and soft-tissue cancer.

"Everybody surprised me by changing the team name last October when we were at the state tournament," said Brenda Yates. "They didn't announce it until right before they played the national anthem. I remember the tears running down my cheeks and thinking everyone will figure I'm really patriotic."

Shortly after that, the team introduced its "Rally For Aly" bowling shirts, which depict a photo of Aly after her chemotherapy and have attracted attention from fellow bowlers at the Women's Championships.

Brenda said the support for her daughter has been tremendous. Teammates Debra Clingan, Sherry Morley, Pam Childs, Rose Moss and LaDonna Mason have been totally supportive. "Interest and support at the Women's Championships also have been a lot more than I expected," the mother said. "We've had a lot of questions about the shirts, and a great deal of concern and well-wishers."

Still, there are some attitudes that can trouble a little girl recovering from a debilitating disease, her mother said.

"Shortly after Aly had undergone chemotherapy and lost her hair, she went into a public restroom and was lectured by a woman that said, 'little boys don't belong in girls' bathrooms.' That hurt her," Brenda added. "But she's really holding up well and the prognosis is excellent. Thank God we caught it early."

It should come as no surprise that the "Rally For Aly" team has been a big supporter of Bowl for the CureŽ, a year-round fund-raising and breast cancer awareness initiative by USBC in partnership with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. "Every member participated," Brenda said. "We also will be involved in a walk for the American Cancer Society."

The Wichita community in general has come out in support of Aly, including their local bowling center, The Alley, where Brenda and Monty Yates bowl league. Both Monty's and the Yates' mixed league teams have changed their names to "Rally For Aly." Hometown friends also began a fund-raiser by selling purple wristbands to rally for you-know-who.

In the meantime, the USBC Women's Championships has provided a break for Aly's mother. Her husband urged her to make the trip after she was involved virtually 24 hours a day with her daughter's health care. "He said I should go, that it was a vacation I needed," Brenda said.

Rally For Aly has bowled together about seven years, Yates noted. The 2006 USBC Women's Championships marks their third tournament together, where they achieved a total pinfall of 2,014 in team competition May 16.

Kegel is the official lane maintenance supplier of USBC. For more information on the USBC Women's Championships visit.