Sports and Poker Combine Forces to Raise Money For Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer causes thousands of deaths each year around the world. On July 29, a group of stars from the worlds of poker, Formula One, and professional football participated in a charity poker event to raise money for the DT38 Foundation, a testicular cancer support and awareness organization.
The DT38 Foundation was established in memory of professional football player Dylan Tombides by his mother, Tracy Tombides, after passing away from testicular cancer in April 2014 following a misdiagnosis. According to a statement sent to the press by partypoker, the organization's goal is to raise £1 million to be used "to raise awareness of testicular cancer and change the way it is diagnosed."
The tournament had a modest £100 buy-in and attracted 112 players with many sports celebrities in attendance including Dylan's brother and professional football player Taylor Tombides, Dylan's former teammate Dan Potts, Crystal Palace and Australia captain Mile Jedinak, and Formula One TV presenter and partypoker ambassador Simon Lazenby.
The event was supported by partypoker ahead of the WPT National London poker festival which began on July 30 at the Aspers Casino Stratford and runs until Sunday, August 2. The timing of the charity event made it easy for many professional poker players to take time out of their busy schedules to help raise funds for a worthy cause. Among those to participate included Charles Chattha, James Akenhead, Roland de Wolfe, Jamie Roberts, and partypoker ambassador Tony Dunst.
The charity event raised approximately £5,000 for the DT38 Foundation, with 38 percent of the entries fees donated to the charity. Additionally, the six final table members generously agreed to a chop where they each received £1,000, with the remaining funds in the prizepool going to the charity.
Despite the event representing a serious topic, it didn't mean the players didn't take have a bit of fun. Jedinak, who along with being a professional football player is also a DT38 Foundation ambassador, was one player who had a great time playing against some tough poker competition.
“It was a pretty sick run-out, but I had a great time meeting some of the pros at my table - they’re a great bunch of guys and it’s been a wonderful night for such worthy cause,” exclaimed Jedniak.
They’re a great bunch of guys and it’s been a wonderful night for such worthy cause.
Partypoker also proved during this event that their executives can hold their own at the felt as their Director of Poker Jeffrey Haas finished the charity poker event as the chipleader and was awarded the event's trophy and proclaimed champion.
Check out the video below to learn more about the DT38 Foundation. You can also contribute to this worthy cause by visiting this webpage.
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