March Madness meets a meaningful mission at Fatt Boys Bar and Grille’s 13th Annual March Madness Calcutta, set for March 19. This high-energy event raises critical funds for Save a Sister, a collaborative initiative between Logan Health and the Flathead City-County Health Department, working to lessen the impact of breast cancer in our community. The initiative focuses on providing access to screening mammograms, educating the public and offering post-operative durable goods that are often not covered by insurance. Importantly, all funds raised stay within the local area, directly benefiting women in need.
The tradition of Fatt Boys’ March Madness Calcutta began 13 years ago with a simple yet powerful goal: to combine the community’s love of college basketball with the fight against breast cancer. Over the years, the event has become a staple in Kalispell, growing in both participation and impact. “I have had close friends and family members battle breast cancer, and I’ve always wanted to use my role as a business owner to give back to the community that has supported my family and employees for 25 years,” said Chris Gillette, owner of Fatt Boys. “Save a Sister is a great program that has helped women across Montana, and we are proud to contribute to saving lives with every dollar we raise.”
A Calcutta auction is a creative alternative to the traditional March Madness bracket competitions, where participants can “purchase” teams in an open auction, with payouts determined by the finishing order of teams in the NCAA Tournament. Last year, the betting pool was $134,500, with over $22,000 of that dedicated to Save a Sister. The past seven Calcuttas have garnered over $85,000 for Save a Sister with the support growing year by year.
“Women face many tough decisions in life, but worrying about how to afford a mammogram should never be one of them,” said Melissa L. Kaptanian, MD, FACS, breast surgical oncologist and physician executive of cancer services at Logan Health. “Prioritizing breast health should never be a question of cost. Save a Sister helps ensure that every woman has access to the screenings and care she needs, regardless of financial barriers.”
For more information about Save a Sister, to make a gift to the fund, or to explore opportunities to support health care in our community, please contact Dena Tomlinson at the Logan Health Foundation at dtomlinson@logan.org.