Ballard vs. The Big "C"

Brief History

Del Ballard, Jr. and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard

A Life Story 

Born into the environment of bowling, since the parents of both Del and Carolyn were avid bowlers, they were destined to use their talents in many ways.

At 18 years of age, Del joined the PBA (Professional Bowlers Tour) and earned 13 titles which included four major championships of which two were U.S. Open titles. He is ranked 29th among the greatest of all time and is currently one of the top national and international bowling coaches in the world. This 2009 USBC Hall of Famer is currently the Storm/Roto Grip PBA Tour rep as well as an international coach for Team Hong Kong.

At 25, Carolyn joined the LPBT tour (later PWBA) and won 20 national championships, including three majors in her career. She also captured two USBC/PBA Women’s World Series titles as well as the World Tour Championship in 2011. This 2008 USBC Hall of Famer admits she was never the most talented, but credits hard work and determination for her success.

Off the lanes, Del and Carolyn are the owners of Ballard’s Bowling Academy and Ballard’s Bowling Academy Pro Shops however, they both agree their greatest accomplishment is their daughter, Alyssa.

The current passion for the Ballard family is their charity event: Ballard vs. The Big “C” Striking Back to Spare More Lives. The idea for the event took root after Del was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in 2010 which changed their lives forever. Over the past six years, this event has contributed over $265,000 to support three great organizations; Baylor Scott & White, North Texas Laryngectomy Society and Cancer Care Services.

The Ballard’s and their friends knew that through bowling they could make changes in the lives of not only those in the immediate community but worldwide. One of the most exciting parts of the event, now in its third year, is exposing new people and businesses to the sport of bowling. Great care is so necessary through the journey of treating cancer that it is most important for us to help those who might not have access to all they need during and after treatment.

As Del and Carolyn have said, “This is what we are supposed to do – help others who may not be able to help themselves as well as give back to our community through our sport”. Please join us in The Fight against The Big “C”.

Thank you.

Del and Carolyn Ballard

 

Where the $ Goes

With generous donations from our sponsors and supporters like you, we provide support to Baylor, Cancer Care Services of Fort Worth, and The North Texas Laryngectomy Society.

As we enter another year, we are pleased to tell you that we have provided over $700,000 in support and contributions for three great organizations right here in our community: Baylor Scott & White, North Texas Laryngectomy Society, and Cancer Care Services. Helping patients through the cancer journey in many facets has become our goal, and with your support, we can continue the Fight!

Cancer Care helps provide the nutritional supplements during and after treatment to patients who can’t afford them and provides emotional support as well as financial help. People who Care for others is the best description of Cancer Care Services.

Baylor is a leader not only in exceptional health care, but in cancer research. Cutting edge clinical trials and cancer research continues to expand at Baylor as well as providing the emotional support to patients and family members as they go through their Navigation program.