Prevent Cancer Foundation Blog

Like many Americans, I often fail to appreciate the true meaning behind Memorial Day. In our excitement to have a paid day off from work, a three-day weekend full of family and friends, barbeque and beer, we tend to gloss over the somber gravity and reason for the holiday. My grandfather proudly served in the United States Army and did a tour of duty during the Korean War. As I reflected upon his service and his ...

“Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will.” Jawaharlal Nehru There was a lot of free will at last week’s 7th Annual Bad Beat on Cancer. In the mix this year were 12 guys from Virginia, dressed in black polo shirts with the Foundation and Bad Beat logo specially made for the tournament. They had won their seats at a satellite tournament, ...

I was recently asked, “What makes the Foundation’s Bad Beat on Cancer Texas Hold’em tournament so popular every year?” Naturally my first answer was that by playing poker, they are helping to prevent cancer.  Isn’t that obvious?  Hundreds of players over the last 8 years have helped to raise over $3.4 million to support the Foundation’s research, education and community grants programs. I really believe that’s the number one reason. Here are nine other reasons why players ...

Back in 2003 when Phil Gordon and Rafe Furst started Bad Beat on Cancer™ (BBoC) at the World Series of Poker®, we had no idea the impact it would have on poker players and cancer prevention. That year, the BBoC initiative hit the jackpot when a little known player by the name of Chris Moneymaker (appropriate name for a poker player), won the series and donated 1% of his winnings to Bad Beat on Cancer. Fast forward ...