Scores of Celebrities Bet Big to Beat Cancer

Dozens of stars from TV, sports, music and film will ante up and bet big to support talented young cancer researchers and change the future of cancer at Tower Cancer Research Foundation's (Tower) 4th Annual Ante Up for a Cancer Free Generation Poker Tournament and Casino Night on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the Sofitel Hotel, Riviera 31, 8555 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048. Red carpet arrivals begin at 6:00 PM PST.

The event has attracted the support of numerous celebrities who are expected to attend including (in alphabetical order by first name): AJ Buckley (CSI: NY, Seal Team); Angel Parker (Lab Rats, American Crime Story); Baron Davis (former NBA player); Beau Casper Smart (Dirty Dancing, The Perfect Match); Chuck Liddell (UFC Champion); Corey Maggette (former NBA player); David Allen Grier - (Comedian); Erin Cummings (Feed the Beast, Madoff); Gilles Marini (Sex and the City, Switched at Birth); Gretchen Rossi and Spade Smiley (Real Housewives of OC); Hector David Jr. (Power Rangers); James Lesure (Las Vegas, Men at Work); Jamie Gold (Professional Poker Player); Jason Collins (retired NBA player); Jennie Garth (Beverly Hills 90210); JoAnna Krupa (SuperModel, Actress); Joshua Bowman (Revenge); Katie Cleary (Model, Activist); Kim Glass (Olympic Gold Medalist); Nyambi Nyambi (Mike and Molly); Phillip Keene (Major Crimes); Shanna Moakler (VH1 Hollywood Exes); Steve Howey (Shameless); Tiffany Michelle (Celebrity Poker Professional, Amazing Race); Tito Ortiz (MMA/UFC Champion); Tommy Lasorda (MLB Legend); Tony Denison (Major Crimes); Torrie Wilson (WWE Raw/ WWE Smackdown!); Vanessa Marcil (Las Vegas, General Hospital).

Cancer Free Generation (CFG) is the young leadership division of Tower. CFG seeks to identify, among their peers in the Southern California region, visionary and innovative doctors, medical professionals and researchers and enable them to discover and implement new ideas and techniques to conquer cancer. Additionally, CFG's efforts support young people and their families who have been impacted by cancer, so that they may approach life with renewed strength and optimism. With this dual approach, CFG's goal is to help ensure that the next generation becomes the first cancer free generation. CFG's executive committee consists of young professionals working in a variety of fields including finance, law, real estate, entertainment, and medicine. Many members of CFG's leadership are, themselves, young cancer survivors. Their common vision is the desire to build a more inspired community via connecting interesting and passionate young people who make a difference in the world.

PokerStars is generously sponsoring the tournament again this year, along with several other gracious sponsors, including Janis Horn and Roger Ehrlich; Tanner Mainstain Glynn & Johnson, LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates; Herzog, Yuhas, Ehrlich & Ardell, APC; FusionStorm; and Bank of America. Among the top prizes are: A seat in the PokerStars Championship in the Bahamas; A Four-Night Stay at the Ritz Carlton Waikiki; and A Three-Night Stay at the Hilton Los Cabos.

Tickets may be purchased at the Tower website or by calling 310.299.8477.

ABOUT TOWER CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION: Tower has been the Southern California cancer patient's greatest ally since 1996. Tower provides grants for innovative research, caring patient support and community education to promote more effective treatments for cancer. As a leading donor-directed, specialized cancer research foundation, Tower is focused on funding Southern California initiatives with a global impact. Over the course of the last twenty years, Tower has raised well over $30 million -- resources that have funded specific groundbreaking research and patient support programs that are professionally vetted by committees comprised of local scientific and community leaders. In addition, Tower awards several $100,000 grants annually to young pioneering physician scientists engaged in groundbreaking bench-to-bedside research. In the last two decades, Tower has participated in over two hundred clinical trials with thousands of patients and awarded over 3 million dollars to 32 physician scientists pursuing novel hypotheses. While there are many brilliant scientists performing cancer research, Tower recognizes the importance of nurturing the regional pool of rich research talent because important breakthroughs have come from unexpected directions and provided new perspectives. The physician scientists who have received Tower's Career Development Grants often demonstrate such promising results that they later obtain large grants from other foundations and cancer research centers. Tower's initial $3 million investment has led to $35 million in additional clinical research funding. http://towercancer.org/