MADISON, Wis. -- More than 1,000 people turned out on Sunday to strike out cancer.

The seventh annual Bowlin' For Colons drew quite a crowd to Badger Bowl in Madison. The statewide initiative aims to raise money and awareness for colon cancer research at the Univeristy of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, WISC-TV reported.

"Our father passed away from colon cancer eight years ago so we do it as a means to support the cause for research and some of the great doctors at the UW that are doing the research for colon cancer," said Amy Wren, of Edgerton.

During the past six years, the event has raised more than $129,000 for colon cancer research, organizers said.