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Canadians in Texas

Canadians in Texas

The football fans comprise the participants in the 10th annual Gentle Ben Charity Challenge, taking place Nov. 22-25. This event raises money for cancer programs by taking a group away from Toronto each year for a sports getaway. All of the participants pay their own way, and pledge to raise money for the cause. They’ve always come through big, raising $600,000 over the previous nine editions of the event.

“We like to say that we put the ‘fun’ in fundraising,” says Steve Pearl of Thornhill, Ont., who launched the Gentle Ben in 1998 with his brother Mike, in memory of their father. “This year’s Gentle Ben has raised a record amount, by far. Being in Toronto, a lot of us have been to Buffalo Bills games. But heading down to Dallas to see the Cowboys has proved to be our biggest draw, and has really revved up our fundraising efforts.”

Besides the football game, this year’s Gentle Ben will include an NHL game between the Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs, and two rounds of golf.

The money raised this year will be divided between four Toronto area beneficiaries: the Dr. Jay Charitable Foundation (pediatric palliative care); the Charles Krowitz Burkitt's Lymphoma Research Fund (research into this rare form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at Princess Margaret Hospital); Lilah’s Fund (research into Neuroblastoma at the Hospital for Sick Children); and the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine (research at the University Health Network into stem cell biology and tissue engineering).

NFL Canada donated merchandise to assist with the Gentle Ben group’s silent auction, including an autographed Chad Johnson jersey. Hall of Fame Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach also donated a signed picture when he learned of the fundraising trip to see his former team.

“That just added to the excitement,” says Mike Pearl. “Every year, we try to make the Gentle Ben bigger and better, and it has really become the ultimate sports weekend. Most important, as we grow and strengthen our fundraising, we’re making a real impact in the fight against cancer, and in programs that support patients and their families.”

For more information, see www.gentlebengolf.com.