Cards for the Cure to be held Jan. 26 in Wichita

         Wichita, Kan. - More than $43,000 in cash prizes is up for grabs at the third annual Cards for the Cure: The Kansas Poker Championship in Wichita on January 26, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency Wichita.

         The winner of the event, which is a benefit for the mid-Kansas affiliate of Susan G. Komen, will collect $10,000 cash.

         There are many ways for Kansans to get involved. A suggested donation of $100 saves you a seat, but players are encouraged to put together teams of up to 10 players to compete for great team prizes.

         A Girls Night Out package is available for $199 and includes a seat in the tournament, a four-course dinner for two and a one-hour massage.

         The VIP Party will be hosted at the Hampton Inn at the Kansas Star Casino on Friday, Jan. 25. Tickets are $20 and attendees will enjoy complimentary food and drinks and mingle with celebrities.

         Celebrities committed so far include Derek Norris, catcher for the Oakland A's; Lynn Dickey, former quarterback for Kansas State and the Green Bay Packers; and Kendall Gammon, former football standout for Pittsburgh State and the Kansas City Chiefs; and Lynn Marshall, wife of WSU basketball coach Gregg Marshall.

         The charity poker tournament has raised more than $105,000 combined the first two years and tournament director Spike Anderson expects this event to be the best yet.

         "We have made some changes from past tournaments and we hope to raise significantly more money for Komen," Anderson said. "We expect 2013 to be the best event yet.

         "Everyone has a family member or friend who has battled breast cancer, so we want to celebrate with survivors and honor those we have lost their lives to this deadly disease. Hopefully, we have made the event more appealing to everyone."

         The top priority for Komen Mid-Kansas, which serves 95 of the 105 counties in Kansas, is to continue to fund breast screenings, education, community outreach and research in Kansas. Proceeds are used to serve the breast health needs of all women, men and families regardless of age, race, gender or socioeconomic status. 

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