PokerStars to Fight Prostate Cancer in UK with 'Lads Night In'

PokerStars has teamed up with Prostate Cancer UK in promoting a one-night event called Lad's Night In that will find men playing home games throughout the UK and donating the prize pools toward fighting the deadly male-only disease.

The idea is for men to gather with their buddies at each other's homes on September 25 and to "raise funds over a friendly game of poker," said Prostate Cancer UK CEO Owen Sharp. “Prostate cancer kills one man every hour," he added, pointing out that more money needs to be raised and research to be done "if we are going to reduce the number of lives being cut short by this disease."

Players can get involved and participate by registering at the Lads Night In website. Registrants will receive goodies donated by PokerStars that include a deck of playing cards and other gifts.

Team PokerStars Pro Jake Cody is lending his name to the cause by hosting a VIP Lads Night In home game. Players can enter a contest and win a seat for themselves and four friends to Cody's VIP home game in London, with travel and lodging provided.

“Lads Night In is a really fun way to raise money and awareness for an amazing cause," Cody said. Players are encouraged to register at the Lads Night In website and send a tweet "using #JCLadsNightIn explaining who your dream opponent(s) is and why. I’ll then pick my favourite, based upon the most meaningful, witty or creative!”

The Lads Night In home game is one of several ongoing initiatives promoted by Prostate Cancer UK as part of a ‘Men United’ campaign. PokerStars is a valuable ally with the ability to reach out to thousands of poker-playing men, enlightening the bulk of their player base about the need to raise funds and save lives that would otherwise be lost to prostate cancer.

"Poker is a male-dominated game and around one in five men have played poker in the UK," said Sue Hammett, Head of Corporate Giving at PokerStars. “One in eight men in the UK will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime."

In addition to Cody's VIP home game, PokerStars will launch other promotions in conjunction with its partnership with Prostate Cancer UK. The PokerStars blog will post details shortly.