wptfoundationPHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12, 2015: With support from poker legend and 14-time gold bracelet winner Phil Helmut Jr., Dan Shak and WPT Anchor Lynn Gilmartin, the WPT Foundation’s “All In” Poker Tournament for Kids and the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][CHOP] recently raised about $700,000 that will go to benefit the children of CHOP. The money was raised in support of the hospital’s Division of Nutrition, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology, which is not only one of the largest but is also the most active pediatric programs of its kind in the region.

The program is sponsored by The Gitlin Family Foundation and provides comprehensive state-of-the-art care to childrenwith a wide range of complexand common conditions that include celiac disease, liver diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic nutritional disorders as well as feeding and swallowing disorders. The program’s division faculty are actively involved in undertaking numerous research projectsand innovative clinical trials that have changed the course of treatment for thousands of children.

Said Madeline Bell, the president and CEO of The Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, “Each year, we are proud to partner with the World Poker Tour Foundation on this important and exciting event.We especially thank the Gitlin Family Foundation for their support, as well as all of the physicians and staff in CHOP’s Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, who work tirelessly every day to provide our patients with excellent care.”

“In 3 years with The Children’s Hospital, WPT Foundation has proudly helped raise more than $2.3 million to help CHOP provide the most advanced child healthcare available, “Adam Pilska,the President and CEO of WPT added. “CHOP remains the pre-eminent pediatric hospital in the world, nurturing many of the nation’s pioneers and innovators in pediatric medicine, and WPT Foundation is honored to support such a devoted group of doctors, nurses and researchers that are fully dedicated to finding cures and treating illnesses and injuries specific to children.”

The “All In” For Kids Poker tournament which hosted more than 275 guests was held on Friday, Nov. 6at Mandarin Oriental in New York City. Alongside the doctors, grateful patient families, athletes, celebrities, and other CHOP supporters who attended were professional poker players Scott Baumstein, Jamie Kerstetter, Brian Hastings, Andy Frankenberger and Angel Guillen who turned out to support the initiative. The winner of the “All In” For Kids Poker tournament was Antonio Rodriguez who is a co-founder of the financial consultancy, Cibeles Capital Advisors. Other dignitaries present at the event included Phillies Broadcaster Gregg Murphyand New York Giants Offensive Guard Justin Pugh.

About The World Poker Tour Foundation

The World Poker Tour Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to utilizing its international platform for influencing positive change on a worldwide scale. At its core, the WPT Foundation’s efforts in fundraising are to be found in the series of charitable poker events that are titled “WPT Playing for a Better World”.

The Foundation and its associated philanthropic events aid in igniting awareness while raisingfunds which are critical for programs of excellence. These efforts are dedicated towards improving our planet through supporting key charities in regards to health, education, human rights, the environment and ending world hunger.

About Philadelphia’s Children’s Hospital

Founded in 1855, the Hospital was the first national pediatric hospital and its research program is among the largest in the country. The Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefitted children globally through its long-standing commitment to pioneer major research initiatives, train new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and to provide exceptional patient care. Its unique family-centered public service and care programs have brought recognition to the 535-bed hospital as one of the leading advocates for children and adolescents.

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