KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Katelyn Ravasini is good at a lot of things, but bowling isn’t one of them.
“I know how to,” Katelyn says. “I just can’t do it very well. I progressively get worse throughout the game.”
Somehow, she still manages to frame things in a way people twice her age can only imagine.
Her mother Julie Ravasini says she’s always been that way.
“Katelyn is full of energy, full of passion,” her mom says. “Everything she does is 110 percent.”
A little more than a year ago, the unafraid 14-year-old was unaware a disease would hit close to home.
Her aunt was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease she knew very little about.
“I really didn’t know anything,” Katelyn said. “My mom was kind of upset about it, so I knew it was something serious.”
After doing some research, Katelyn decided to take action. She wanted to raise awareness and funds to find a cure.
Her first idea was a 5K, but since everyone can’t run, she decided to think of something more social and something that requires less energy.
After talking with a local bowling alley, Katelyn decided on a Bowl-A-Thon to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis.
“Because anyone with M.S., whether they can walk or not, they can bowl,” Katelyn said. “In bowling, you’re still being active, but you can still socialize with your friends.”
Katelyn spent weeks teaming up with local businesses to help sponsor the event.
More than 100 bowlers showed up, and Katelyn raised more than $2,200.
The money went to the KU Medical M-S Achievement Center, where Katelyn’s aunt is undergoing treatment.
Katelyn continues to volunteer at the M-S Center, and will try and organize fundraisers every year to help raise awareness for multiple sclerosis.
