This month 150 poker enthusiasts will gather at the City of Santa Clarita’s Activities Center to compete in the card-playing sport gone wild around the world, Texas Hold ‘Em. For $125 per person, entrants will not only be engaged in a night of poker, food and drink, but their fee will benefit young people battling cancer who are in need of financial assistance.
The benefit is being held in honor of two organizations, The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry and The Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund (BMCF), which supports patients, ages 18-40 as they undergo cancer treatment. BMCF was founded by Brenda Mehling before she lost her battle with breast cancer.
“During the time Brenda was undergoing treatment, she met a number of young adults struggling to pay for treatments. That’s why she started this fund to help provide services not covered by insurance,” says Ryan Drake, Poker Tournament organizer.
Since Mehling founded the Fund in 2001, it has helped 147 recipients, providing $50,922 in support services in 2005 and $43,312 in 2006. This year, the goal is $50,000.
Grants given are typically under $600 and include co-payments, rent and mortgage, transportation, car insurance, repairs and groceries.
The second fund benefiting from the poker tournament became a recipient after Drake developed the BMCF website and experienced cancer in his family first-hand.
Drake’s mother-in-law died from ovarian cancer at the age of 53. She’d had a routine pap smear just three months prior to her death and that is one reason why he is such a proponent of aggressive testing and research.
The charity poker tournament will be held on August 25. Organizers hope to raise $20,000 from event proceeds. Winning poker players will compete for a 42-inch high definition television, a seat in the World Poker Tour bootcamp and more.
Italian fare catered by Be A Guest At Your Own Party will be served at the Santa Clarita fundraiser. The entrance fee includes beer and wine, as well. A silent auction of sports and movie memorabilia will also be held.
Sponsorship opportunities are still starting at $300, a cost that includes one seat at the gaming tables. Cost for admittance at the door, if there are still seats available, is $150.
For further information, visit www.bmcf.net or call 661-313-5858.
