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Pin-Ups Against Cancer held its first charity bowling event at West Seattle Bowl,4505 39th Ave SW, Saturday. The theme was the popular movie "The Big Lebowski" starring "The Dude", Jeff Bridges. It contained well-known scenes in a bowling alley.

Activities included raffle, merchandise, costume, and bowling contests. Pin-up models circulated. While fun and games were offered, the message was serious.

According to its website, Pin-Up's Against Cancer is a group of pin-up models who have joined together to use their modeling experiences to draw attention to fund raising efforts of organizations directly connected to all forms of cancer, focusing on families in the Northwest. They organize their own charitable events, and funds go directly to families affected by cancer. They offer resources to those seeking other financial assistance with medical bills.

Kitty Mansfield of Federal Way is the president and founder of the year-old organization.

"I started doing the pin-up modeling, and it was fun," said Mansfield. "But I felt it was almost a little vain to do it just to do it. My husband, Mike (Roberts), is a two-time survivor of Hodgkins lymphoma. I thought I should start an organization that helped people who didn't qualify for assistance who needed it with a focus on the Puget Sound region. We encourage people to come to us who need help. Everyone in our group have been affected by cancer. Most volunteers have experience (with cancer) and know why we're here."

Bella Bambina, Shoreline, is the organization's booking agent.

"I was born with skin cancer and I had to get it removed," she said. She has a large, oval scar on her lower left leg. "My mother and father were huge into hot rods and I got into pin-up modeling through them and I thought, 'Why not do something good with that.'"

In addition to their website, you can find "Pinups Against Cancer" on Facebook.