Published on May 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 5, 2010
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tracey Young
(703) 837-3687
tracey.young@preventcancer.org
ALEXANDRIA, VA — A record 130 poker players from across the country brought their best game and poker faces to the nation’s capitol to raise money in support of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s programs. The Foundation raised $215,000 at its Sixth Annual Bad Beat on Cancer Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament held in the East Hall of Washington’s historic Union Station last night. After the last hand was dealt, player Jeremy Coon of Utah took the top prize – a $10,000 seat at the 2010 World Series of Poker Tournament donated by Harrah’s Entertainment.
The event was attended by top professional poker players Andy Bloch, Lee Childs, Annie Duke, Rafe Furst and Howard Lederer, Members of Congress and players from the corporate and poker community. Professional poker champion and Foundation board member Phil Gordon—renowned for his commentary on televised poker matches such as Celebrity Poker Showdown and the World Series of Poker – served as the master of ceremonies for the evening.
The tournament, sponsored by 1-800-Contacts®, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, General Dynamics, Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., Legacy, and the Poker Players Alliance, featured 10 players at each of the 13 tables vying to win in a round-robin format. The winners from each table then moved on to play in a final championship game to win the grand prize and additional prizes generously donated to the event. Gordon and the professional poker stars in attendance also held a poker clinic for first-time players and for those in need of refresher tips before the games began.
“Poker is an exciting way to bring people together to beat cancer. Many of the players in attendance realize the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s mission is important and they are more than happy to help fulfill it,” said Jan Bresch Mahrer, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Foundation.
Since its inception in 2003 at the World Series of Poker, the Bad Beat on Cancer initiative has raised more than $3.2 million to fund the Foundation’s mission: the prevention and early detection of cancer through scientific research, education, and community outreach.
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About The Prevent Cancer Foundation
