The 14th annual Moores UCSD Cancer Center Luau and Longboard Invitational Breaks Goal and Raises More Than $600,000
San Diego, Calif. – Aug. 22, 2007 – Organizers for the 14th annual Moores UCSD Cancer Center Luau and Longboard Invitational estimate the event, held Sunday, August 19th at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, raised more than $600,000, which breaks past year’s records and the event’s goal. Over the past 14 years, the event has raised more than $2.6 million to support cancer research at the Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center.
"This year we wanted to raise a half million dollars, which symbolizes one dollar for each life to be lost to cancer this year, and we were able to more than beat that goal! " said Paul Grayson, co-chair of the event. " Our success really represents the aloha spirit of the community. We cannot beat this disease individually, but together we have a chance to find better ways to treat and prevent cancer.”
The Luau and Longboard Invitational is the most successful surfing-related fundraiser and has gained an international reputation among surfing enthusiasts in the business and surfing worlds. Sponsored teams made of five surfers, each assigned one surfing legend, compete for traditional trophies. At the Luau, guests are entertained by a variety of live music, traditional dancing, and auctions for one-of-a-kind surfing memorabilia.
“This event is not possible without each and every individual and contribution,” said Craig Knox, co-chair of the event. “From this year’s title sponsor Genentech to the businesses who sponsor teams or donate auction items to all of our volunteers, we thank the entire community for their support.”
This year, the team sponsored by Scripps Institution of Oceanography beat 26 other teams to take this year's Longboard Invitational title. The surfers were Jessica Carilli, Spencer Kawamoto, Drew Lucas, and Gino Passalacqua.
Also, at the Luau, the winner of the Rell Sunn - Queen of Makaha Award was announced. The award goes to a person or persons who lead a generous life and tireless battle to support cancer research and survivors. This year’s winner is Dr. Linda Olson, M.D., professor of clinical radiology at UCSD in recognition of her exceptional commitment in the face of her own adversity to the fight against cancer and to her dedication to patients, teaching and the community.
“When I walk in the room, I’ve seen patients become less scared about their cancer diagnosis and what lies ahead.” Dr. Olson continues, “They see I’ve lost two legs and an arm and they know I’ve overcome my own hurdles and challenges. I think it has helped many of them have a more positive attitude about the road ahead of them.”
For more information or to donate, contact the Moores UCSD Cancer Center at (858) 822-0023 or visit http://www.longboardluau.org.
About the Moores UCSD Cancer Center
The Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center was founded in 1979. The Center is one of just 40 in the United States to hold the National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. As such, it ranks among the top centers in the nation conducting basic and clinical cancer research, providing advanced patient care and serving the community through outreach and education programs. The center’s mission is to translate promising scientific discoveries into new and better options for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and the amelioration of pain. For more information, visit http://cancer.ucsd.edu.
About Genentech
Founded more than 30 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes biotherapeutics for significant unmet medical needs. A considerable number of the currently approved biotechnology products originated from or are based on Genentech science. Genentech manufactures and commercializes multiple biotechnology products and licenses several additional products to other companies. The company has headquarters in South San Francisco, California and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DNA. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.
About the Rell Sunn Award
The award, established in 1998, is named after Rell Kapolioka'ehukai Sunn, a legendary Hawai’ian surfer and goodwill ambassador known as the “Queen of Makaha.” She passed away on Jan. 2, 1998 at the age of 47 after a 15-year battle against cancer. During her entire fight with the disease, Rell gave freely of herself and indelibly affected each and every person with whom she came in contact with. This perpetual trophy is awarded each year to the person or persons who best display the qualities shared by Rell and the Moores UCSD Cancer Center Luau and Longboard Invitational, which includes the battle against cancer, combined with unselfishness, compassion and a dedication to helping others that embodies the true aloha spirit.