NIU students are hoping to save boobs.

Students bowled to raise money for breast cancer research Thursday night in the Huskie Den.

All proceeds from “Bowl for Boobs” go toward the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“I got the idea from my sister, who is a bartender. She had a fundraiser in the bar she works at, so I got the contact information from her,” said Alex Gonzalez, the event’s organizer, president of the Grant Towers North Hall Council and family and individual development major.

The event was open to any NIU student.

“RHA events are traditionally only for students in the residence halls, but I wanted to get off-campus students involved, too, so everyone could come together for a good time,” Gonzalez said.

Attendees wore T-shirts with slogans such as “Save the Ta-Tas” in support of the cause.

Some students hoped to raise awareness and attended because they had been affected by breast cancer.

“Cancer runs in my family and, being female, I want to do anything to contribute to breast cancer awareness, in case something were ever to happen to me,” said Melissa Miller, history and secondary education major.

The night also featured a pool tournament and a paintball raffle.

“My friend’s grandma and mom both had breast cancer, so I’m here to support [them] and have some fun – just getting the best of both worlds,” said nursing major Teah Riggs.

Gonzalez hoped the event would raise up to $2,000 and become an annual occurrence.

He understands the slang term for the event, “Bowl for Boobs,” is different, but said it attracts college students.

“‘Save the Ta-Tas,’ ‘Bowl for Boobs’ … are all kind of raunchy, but that is what appeals to college students,” Gonzalez said.