According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 10.1 million people were living with cancer as of 2002. More and more people are diagnosed each year, with approximately 1,399,790 new diagnosed cases expected in 2006. As cancer affects an overwhelming number of people worldwide, it was only a matter of time before the rapidly expanding poker playing community responded.
At the 2003 World Series of Poker, professional players Phil Gordon and Rafe Furst initiated a drive to raise funds for cancer research and prevention. Gordon and Furst came up with the idea to "put a bad beat" on cancer by inviting players to make a pledge to donate 1 percent of their winnings at the WSOP championship event to the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, a well respected nonprofit health organization that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
In its inaugural year at the World Series, the "Put a Bad Beat on Cancer" initiative recruited around 80 players to make the pledge, including 2003 main event winner Chris Moneymaker. Over the past few years, the concept has grown and spread throughout the poker world. The biggest-name pros and amateur players alike now pledge varying percentages of their yearly earnings, one-time fixed amount donations, and even make lifelong commitments to donate. The World Series is not the only venue to participate in this fund-raising movement, however. donations from home games, cash games and local tournaments can also be made in order to further cancer research and prevention.
This is the consummate win-win situation, because when you cash in a World Series of Poker event, your tax-deductible donation gets the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation the funding it needs to make huge steps in the treatment or cancer. Even if you don't cash, you can bemoan your loss without having to give away any more of your money, until you eventually do make that final table. Phil Gordon, one of the founding members of the initiative, has donated hundreds of autographed copies of his instructional books and DVDs to the foundation to send to donators.
You can organize a fund-raising event at your local cardroom or casino and, if your event qualifies, Phil Gordon will
provide some very cool prizes for the tournament winners. If you can guarantee the Foundation $50,000 or more, he will personally fly out to the tournament and play, emcee, and provide a poker clinic beforehand.
For more information on the initiative and how to make a pledge, visit www.badbeatoncancer.org or the Bad Beat on Cancer booth at the World Series of Poker. This is a wonderful way to raise money for an important cause while doing what you love – playing poker.
