Copied from http://preventcancer.org/newsroom2c.aspx?id=4560#tourney

On May 4, a record 130 poker players from across the country brought their best poker faces to the nation’s capital to support cancer prevention. The Prevent Cancer Foundation raised $215,000 at its Sixth Annual Bad Beat on Cancer Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament. After an exciting evening of tournament play, Jeremy Coon took the grand prize donated by Harrah’s Entertainment—a $10,000 seat at the 2010 World Series of Poker Tournament.

The event was attended by top professional poker players Andy Bloch, Lee Childs, Annie Duke, Rafe Furst, Jena Delk and Howard Lederer, members of Congress and players from corporate and poker communities. 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 a seat at the final table where they competed for fabulous prizes, each of which had been generously donated to the Foundation. Prior to the tournament, Gordon and the other professional poker stars in attendance held a poker clinic for first-time players and for those in need of a refresher course before the games began.

“Poker is an exciting way to bring people together to beat cancer. Most of our guests recognize the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s mission is important and they are more than happy to help fulfill it,” said Jan Bresch Mahrer, the Foundation’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Since its inception at the World Series of Poker in 2003, the Bad Beat on Cancer initiative has raised more than $3.2 million to support the Foundation’s mission.

Learn about the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s other signature events.

It has been a busy 24 hours. I left Orlando yesterday morning at eight o’clock for Washington DC. It is now 8:14 am and I am at the Atlanta airport, awaiting my connecting flight to Orlando. Why does a person make such a quick trip to our nation’s capital? For a very worthy cause to be sure!

Where did I go?

The Sixth Annual Bad Beat on Cancer Texas Hold’em Charity Event was held at Union Station. This $500 re-buy tournament was well attended by many prominent people on and off the felt. Our host for the evening was charming, Phil Gordon, who seemed to know every person in attendance. Those he did not know were soon made to feel very welcome. He would pause for pictures or an autograph with the ease of a seasoned professional.

What is the mission of the Foundation?

Proceeds from this tournament will be utilized to further the mission of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The Foundation since its inception in 1985 has raised more than $113 million in support of cancer prevention research, education, and outreach programs. The Foundation has played a fundamental role in developing the body of knowledge that provides important prevention and early detection strategies. Further information regarding its mission and results can be found at www.preventcancer.org.

What can you do to help?

· You can help put a bad beat on cancer by texting the word ‘poker’ to 50555 to donate $10 to the Prevent Cancer Foundation. This one-time donation will be added to your mobile telephone bill or deducted from your prepaid account balance. This donation service is provided by mGive Foundation.

· Take the Bad Beat on Cancer 1% Pledge and join a growing list of poker professional who donate 1% of their winnings to the foundation.

· Just send a check for any amount today.

· Give your time and Volunteer

Why do I participate?

As a former certified oncology nurse, I am keenly aware of the years that are added to the lives of those afflicted with cancer by early detection. I have lost my Mother and Grandmother to the disease, both of which had early symptoms that went unchecked for years. I would like to help spare other families this turmoil.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MEDIA CONTACT:

January 27, 2010 Apoorva Stull

(703) 837-3687

apoorva.stull@preventcancer.org

Famed Poker Player Jena Delk Joins Prevent Cancer Foundation
Bad Beat on Cancer Initiative

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Famed poker player Jena Delk will partner with Bad Beat on Cancer, pledging to donate one percent of her winnings towards the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Proceeds from Bad Beat on Cancer™ members go towards 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. Jena will join current Bad Beat on Cancer™ top professional poker champions such as Phil Gordon, Andy Bloch, Lee Childs, Rafe Furst and Howard Lederer.

“I am so excited to be a part of the Bad Beat on Cancer™ team,” explains Jena. “It’s wonderful to be a part of an organization that raises funds for Cancer Prevention and I hope this will be a long-lasting partnership.”

During the 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP), poker professionals Phil Gordon and Rafe Furst started a drive to help fund cancer prevention research and education ― by playing poker. They asked their friends to pledge just one percent of their winnings at the WSOP Championship Event to the Prevent Cancer Foundation as a tax-deductible donation, resulting in enough money to fund a research grant for an entire year. This grand gesture capitulated into the Bad Beat on Cancer™ initiative. Since its inception six years ago, Bad Beat on Cancer™ has raised nearly $3 million for cancer prevention research and has grown to include other major poker tournaments, leagues and home games. The initiative has inspired amateurs and pros alike to pledge one percent of their winnings for life, including stars Phil Hellmuth, Jr., Paul Wasicka, Andy Bloch, Annie Duke, Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, John Juanda, Mike Matusow and Dennis Phillips.

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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About The Prevent Cancer Foundation
As a leading health organization for 25 years, the Prevent Cancer Foundation has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence and provided more than $113 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education and community outreach programs across the country. The Foundation’s peer-reviewed grants have been awarded to nearly 500 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. Through healthy lifestyle choices, you can reduce your risk of breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, oral, prostate, skin and testicular cancers. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.