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Bowling event benefits young Stage 3 breast cancer patient from Youngstown

Correspondent photo / John Patrick Gatta Kat Jackson works on her art during the Bowling for Boobs benefit Sunday at Westside Bowl. The benefit was for her because she is fighting Stage 3 breast cancer. She was diagnosed at age 25 after finding a lump under her armpit.

YOUNGSTOWN — Kat Jackson of Youngstown didn’t coin the phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” but she totally inhabits the spirit of maintaining a positive attitude and showing resilience in the face of adversity.

Battling Stage 3 breast cancer and financial difficulties because of medical costs and closing her massage therapy business over the past two years, the Youngstown-based artist saw an opportunity to help her situation, as well as others, and do it in a manner that defiantly laughs in the face of all the stress, sadness, frustration, pain and fear associated with the disease, its treatment and recovery.

As she prepares for the next step in her cancer journey, the 27-year-old created Bowling for Boobs, which took place Sunday at the Westside Bowl. A previous event in April helped Jackson achieve fertility preservation.

Referencing the event’s name, she admitted that it correlates with a history of using dark humor to deflect tense situations. “It’s funny and it captures attention.”

At 25, she discovered a lump under her armpit. The rarity of someone so young having the disease caused a missed diagnosis for breast cancer twice. Moving back to Ohio from West Virginia made wading through insurance and government paperwork regarding the situation much worse.

Jackson did get treatment that included a mastectomy of her right breast, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Sunday’s benefit will go toward expenses including preventive surgery.

Her experience with breast cancer allowed Jackson to reconnect as an artist. She took self-portraits to chronicle the disease’s growth for her medical team. Eventually, the photos were collected and displayed as part of an exhibit. Housed at Studio South Art Exchange in Boardman, they were temporarily moved to Westside Bowl for the event.

Sunday’s Bowling for Boobs benefit included unlimited bowling for $20, more than a dozen vendors selling their homemade items, a basket raffle and wine pull plus donations for the Apple Breast Cancer Warrior Foundation, a Youngstown breast cancer support organization that provides care bags to patients, and dog supplies that went to All About The Pawz.

Informative resources were distributed so that others may detect any possible cancer early and know what to do if they do have it. Survivors of cancer also shared advice with attendees. Woman-centric musical artists played on the upstairs stage — Razed By Robots, Becky Kimble, One Fine Day, Kari Rutushin and Ruby Mountain Soul — while an open mic night was set up for local comedians.

And for someone who hasn’t allowed the disease to keep her down, Jackson created the event’s merchandise, including Bowling for Boobs stickers, magnets and apparel along with items emblazoned with her coined term, “Titty Tuesday,” in efforts to bring awareness to breast cancer.

“Someone at her age, having to go through everything that she’s gone through is, obviously, harrowing and impressive to watch from the sidelines,” said Nate Offerdahl, co-owner of Westside Bowl. “My mother is a breast cancer survivor. So, it’s something that hits very close to home.”

He added, “All of the fundraising efforts that we’re involved with, we believe that being deeply involved in the community is the cornerstone of us being successful. Happy to do it. Happy to provide the space. Happy to help her raise some money.”

Talking about creating Bowling for Boobs, Jackson said, “It’s more powerful for me to do something than nothing. I still want to be in control with how this goes and how it can impact or save the next person who doesn’t have to go through this.”

Falling back on her penchant for dark humor, she added, “You have to make a choice and it’s either you laugh or you cry, one or the other. I chose not to be totally miserable despite circumstances and hormone swings.”

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