The Children’s Tumor Foundation hosted Online Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament to help end neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves, has no cure, and affects 2.5 million people around the world.
The event featured celebrities Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander, Saved by the Bell’s Elizabeth Berkley, and Breaking Bad’s David Costabile as well as inspiring patients like Pacific Palisades native Joe Jaffa, who was diagnosed with NF at the age of one.
Joe had tumors removed from his left foot, hand, and hip endured two rounds of chemo and two weeks of intensive radiation treatment. Now, he’s part of an immunotherapy clinical trial, and scans seem promising.
Joe’s uncle, actor Michael B. Silver, has been spearheading the event since 1997. Michael, known for his recurring roles on NYPD Blue, ER, and CSI, deems Joe “the bravest guy I’ve ever known.”
The event brought in 100 players and raised over $80,000.
The tournament benefitted the Children’s Tumor Foundation, the world’s leading nonprofit fully dedicated to making NF visible, connecting patients with support, and driving innovative research to end NF.
If you’ve never heard of NF, you’re not alone. This “invisible” disease is often overlooked. Its patients often appear perfectly healthy.
If you’d like to learn more about NF or donate to the cause, please visit ctf.org.
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