Strike Out for good

Dozens of medical students from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine recently gathered for some friendly competition in the name of fundraising for a good cause.

The Oncology Interest Group (OncIG) hosted its annual Strike Out Cancer event at Avon North Hill Lanes on Nov. 18.

The group has been holding the event every year since 2013 to raise funds for the American Breast Cancer Foundation, which aims to “provide education, access and financial assistance to aid in the early detection, treatment, and survival of breast cancer for underserved and uninsured individuals, regardless of age, race, or gender.”

Admission to the event was $20 per person, which included the two hours of bowling, food, and drinks.

“Bringing awareness to different cancer foundations has been a really big passion of mine throughout my life and something that I’ve continued in medical school,” said Andrew Glaza, M2, president, OncIG.

Glaza said he went into the field of medicine due to his past experiences with acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a child.

“I know personally and also through friends of mine that have gone through treatment that this support actually does impact treatments, and it means a lot to the families and to the patients as well.”

Kristin Sarsfield, M2, the vice president, OncIG, said she finds a night of fun like this to be critical for students.

“In addition to the fundraising cause and the awareness cause we have, just increasing the sociability of our class and our school and having people just come out, take a break and have fun, I think is an extremely important outlet that we need to have as medical students,” said Sarsfield.

‘A good way to decompress’

Sarsfield’s assessment proved to be correct — Nov. 18 was the day of an important exam for many of the medical students in attendance.

Madison Saunders, M2, said, “We had a midterm today, so this was a good way to be human and let off a little steam after studying all week.”

“Cancer is a very prevalent thing that we’re not only learning a lot about, but a lot of our classmates have been affected by it…a chance to support that cause is really important,” said Jessica Krone, M2. “It was a good way to decompress and lead into Thanksgiving break.”

For Krone, the highlight of that evening was, “watching people’s blunders” as well as their successes.

“It’s just fun to bond as classmates,” said Krone.

Other attendees echoed the same sentiments.

“I think it’s just really fun when (after) we have an exam to be able to get together to enjoy everybody’s company outside of the classroom,” said Randy Hilleary, M2.

Quinn Simpson, M2, said the best part of his night was the last round he played because he “beat Randy.”

As the night came to a close, Glaza said he was “really pleased” with the turnout and getting a strike was the highlight of his night.

“It was a really nice way to de-stress after our midterm, and I think also the fact that we were making a difference on top of also having fun, I think kind of encapsulates the medical school experience,” said Glaza. “

“As professionals, it's important to continue on and to give back in any opportunity, in as many opportunities as we can, but to also take care of ourselves and unwind a bit,” he added.

Anyone who missed the event, but is interested in donating to the American Breast Cancer Foundation can do so through OUWB’s donation link.