Poker finalist Dennis Phillips has donated some of his winnings to the Bad Beat on Cancer Charity.
Tuesday 19th August 2008
The WSOP Final Table has been set, but won’t be playing out until November. That hasn’t stopped one player donating 1% of his winnings to a cancer-prevention charity, an amount which could add up to as much as $90,000.
Dennis Phillips, who will return to the Rio Casino as chip leader, has announced he will be giving a portion of his winnings to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, which is running its “Bad Beat on Cancer” fundraiser.
“I am thrilled to contribute a portion of my WSOP earnings to the Prevent Cancer Foundation,” said Phillips. “Charity involvement has always been an important part of my life, and hopefully more poker players and final table participants with follow suit in upcoming poker circuits like the European Poker Tour and the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.”
Many in the poker world have applauded his decision and what it means for the game.
“Dennis Phillips is a stand-up guy who brings a positive feeling to the WSOP final table,” said Chris Moneymaker, winner of the WSOP main event in 2003. “Most guys get to the final table and just see a big pile of money and a new life. Dennis is just happy to be playing poker and sees an opportunity to help others. His efforts are inspiring to the poker community and I’m excited to see how it all turns out in November.”
The Bad Beat on Cancer fundraiser has been raising money since 2003 in a bid to help advance the research and prevention of cancer. The charity has asked poker players to donate 1% of their winnings to the cause, a move which has seen significant sums of money raised. As their donations are tax deductible many players are getting involved, including some who have pledged a percentage of their winnings for life.
