By Anthony Rifilato
The stakes are usually high during Texas Hold 'em, but they are nothing compared to the more than $100 billion in health care costs and more than 21 million Americans suffering from one of the most debilitating diseases in the U.S.: Diabetes.
On April 1, the Daniel Rogers Foundation hosted its first annual Texas Hold 'em Poker Tournament at the Dizzy Lizard Saloon in Hempstead to raise money for juvenile diabetes research. The foundation was created following the death of Baldwin resident and Baldwin High School graduate Daniel Rogers, who, at the age of 31, died in 2002 after a long struggle with the disease.
"He was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes as an adolescent, and the fund-raiser forces us to get together to remember him and do something good about it," said lifelong friend Andy Randazzo.
The event drew more than 55 players and raised over $3,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The poker tournament is one of many fund-raisers and events that the Daniel Rogers Foundation hosts each year, such as its annual Memorial Golf Outing and a walkathon at SUNY Old Westbury in October.
The organization has raised more than $75,000 for juvenile diabetes research over the past four years, and the poker tournament seemed like a good way to raise money and awareness, in addition to attracting people who aren't necessarily interested in golf, Randazzo and others said.
And with Texas Hold 'em's increasing popularity - especially with celebrity fund-raisers such as the Bravo television series "Celebrity Poker Showdown" - the event seemed like a great idea, said Roger's cousin, Vincent Mischke.
"This year we're off to a good start with Texas Hold 'em," Mischke said. "We figured Texas Hold 'em was a great way we can do it because the players are not typically part of the golf crowd."
According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, nearly 21 million Americans suffer from Diabetes, and in 2002, the disease accounted for $132 billion in health-care costs. Juvenile Diabetes, or Type 1 diabetes, afflicts as many as three million Americans and the disease often takes a harsh toll, including blindness, amputation and kidney failure. Finding a cure for diabetes has become the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's "singular mission."
"Daniel was a good guy and was always willing to help people," Mischke said. "He was unselfish in that way. No matter how hard he tried though, he had a hard time keeping the disease in check."
The Daniel Rogers Foundation's goal this year is to raise more than $30,000 for juvenile diabetes research, and the poker tournament was a big step towards reaching that goal, Mischke said. Local businesses contributed to the event, such as Amore Mio Pizzeria, who supplied the food, while the Dizzy Lizard donated the venue and drinks and Jim's Deli contributed two six foot heroes.
"We had a great turnout and hopefully we'll double it next year," Randazzo said. "Daniel would have loved to be a part of something like this and he is. In some way, he is always part of every event."
