Published on May 8, 2008
CONTACT:
Susanne Hartman 703-837-3692
susanne.hartman@preventcancer.org
Washington Card Sharks Outwit Poker Stars and Each Other to Win a Seat at the
2008 World Series of Poker
ALEXANDRIA, VA — The Prevent Cancer Foundation (formerly the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation) — the only organization in the United States solely dedicated to the prevention of cancer since 1985 — held its 4th Annual Bad Beat on Cancer Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament in the East Hall of Washington’s historic Union Station on May 6, 2008. It raised more than $300,000 to further the Foundation’s mission: the prevention and early detection of cancer through scientific research, education and community outreach to all populations, including children and the underserved. After the last hand was dealt, Washingtonian Tom Goldstein beat out 130 other players for the top prize.
This widely attended and popular Foundation fundraiser featured special guests, including top professional poker champions as well as noted members of the government, corporate and sports communities. Professional poker champion and Prevent Cancer board member, Phil Gordon — renowned for his commentary on televised poker matches such as Celebrity Poker Showdown, Poker After Dark and the World Series of Poker — served as master of ceremonies for the evening. Gordon “worked the room” stopping at each of the 13 tables and giving color commentary as the games unfolded. Gordon, along with other professional players Andy Bloch, Annie Duke, Chris Ferguson, Rafe Furst and Howard Lederer held a poker clinic for tournament sponsors, participants and their guests.
The tournament — sponsored by Harrah’s Entertainment and Amgen — featured ten players at 13 tables vying to win in a round robin format. The poker stars played at each table in rotation, giving amateurs the chance to beat champions and win autographed shirts. The winner from each table moved on to play a final championship game to win prizes generously donated to the event, including the ultimate grand prize, a $10,000 seat at the 2008 World Series of Poker.
Since its inception in 2004, the tournament has raised nearly $1.1 million to fund the Foundation’s efforts in the areas of cancer research, education and community outreach. Similar Bad Beat on Cancer tournaments have been staged nationwide in New York, Los Angeles and Houston. If you’re interested in holding a Bad Beat on Cancer tournament or poker game in your community to benefit the Prevent Cancer Foundation, visit:www.preventcancer.org for more information.
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The Prevent Cancer Foundation (formerly the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation) was started in 1985 when Founder and President Carolyn Aldigé first understood the power of prevention to defeat cancer — and recognized that too few of the country’s resources were used to promote cancer prevention research or education. Today, it is one of the nation’s leading health organizations and has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence. Through healthy lifestyle choices, you can reduce your risk of breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, oral, prostate, skin and testicular cancers.
Since its inception the Foundation has provided more than $97 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education and community outreach programs. The Foundation’s peer-reviewed grants have been awarded to more than 300 scientists from more than 150 of the leading academic medical centers nationwide. This research has been pivotal in developing a body of knowledge that is the basis for important cancer prevention and early detection strategies. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.
