Tomsu Tournament Raises $334,000 for Cancer Care
The 28th annual Joe Tomsu Memorial Tournament drew bowlers from 15 states and two countries to Mockingbird Lanes in Omaha.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy
The 28th annual Joe Tomsu Memorial Tournament was held over the weekend at Mockingbird Lanes in Omaha. The event has raised $334,000 for the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at UNMC.
Why it matters
The tournament is a sustained local fundraising effort supporting cancer research and care at a major Omaha medical institution. Its founder's family is personally affected by the disease, adding a direct connection to the cause.
The tournament has generated $334,000 in cumulative donations across its 28 annual events, drawing participants from 15 states and two countries. The proceeds from this year's event alone were not broken out separately in the reporting.
The players
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is the comprehensive cancer center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, named for philanthropists Fred and Pamela Buffett.
Matt Tomsu
Matt Tomsu is the son of bowling figure Joe Tomsu who founded the tournament in his father's memory and is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.
The details
Bowlers competed at Mockingbird Lanes over the weekend, and a 50-50 raffle held during the event directed its proceeds to Project PINK. The tournament features current and former Team USA members and National PBA Tour bowlers alongside amateur competitors.
Timeline
The 28th annual Joe Tomsu Memorial Tournament was held over the weekend of November 7, 2026.
Philanthropy Pipeline
Community bowling tournaments like the Joe Tomsu Memorial have long channeled grassroots donations into the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at UNMC, which has supported Omaha-area cancer research and treatment. This tournament's 28-year run places it among the sustained local fundraisers feeding that institution.
Omaha residents who bowl or want to support cancer care can look for the next Joe Tomsu Memorial Tournament and the family's planned brain tumor research fundraiser. Donations and participation directly support the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at UNMC.
The takeaway
Sustained community events like this one show how local bowling leagues and families can build decades-long support for regional cancer care. Residents interested in similar causes can look to local events that fund the Buffett Cancer Center.
Further reading
For more on local giving, explore Omaha Philanthropy coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KETV.
