PokerWorks

Montel Williams has chosen to join two of his passions – playing poker and fundraising for his MS Foundation to find a cure for the disease – in the Montel Williams MS Foundation Gala & Pro-Celebrity Poker Challenge.

The event will take place on Thursday, March 13th in New York at Capriani 42nd Street, a well-known event locale in New York City at 110 East 42nd Street. Festivities are set to begin at 6pm with a cocktail reception and dinner, followed by an awards presentation. The poker tournament will top off the night.

While numerous celebrities and poker pros are scheduled to attend, most have not been announced. Jamie Gold, however, has been confirmed and will attend and participate in the tournament.

Williams has taken an avid interest in the game, and most recently turned that interest into a solid run at the 2007 World Series of Poker main event. He makes a habit of traveling to Las Vegas regularly to participate in games, specifically at the Golden Nugget where he hosts a $1000 sit-n-go twice a month. Poker has become more than a pastime or hobby for him, as he is now regularly playing online and entering $10,000 live tournaments around the country.

Tickets start at $1000 and can be purchased by calling (212) 843-1745 or e-mailing montelms[at]hgnyc.com.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Montel Williams MS Foundation, which is dedicated to furthering the scientific study of multiple sclerosis (MS). Its goals are to provide financial assistance to select organizations and institutions conducting the most current research and to raise national awareness about MS.

In 1999, television talk-show host Montel Williams went public with his battle against MS. He spoke about the way the disease affected his life and how he planned to help find a cure. He then founded the organization bearing his name, wherein every dollar raised would go toward research dedicated to finding a cure. He has also aligned himself with an organization called Spotlight Health to promote awareness of MS because early diagnosis and treatment can help ease suffering and prevent loss of function.

Williams writes on his website, “The world needs to know the warning signs of MS and the treatment options available. The world needs to understand that many more people have MS than current data indicates. The world needs to mobilize against MS and knock it out for good. I believe to the depth of my soul that all of these goals can be achieved.”

More information about Montel’s personal story and his MS Foundation can be found at www.MontelMS.org.