The 14th annual Cancer for College charity golf tournament and auction held at Temecula Creek Inn on September 28th brought in much more than just plaid shorts. This year, the 350 attendees helped raise $200,000 which will be used to award scholarships to cancer survivors and amputees. The auction item that fetched  the most for the charity was a role as an extra in WILL FERRELL’s upcoming movie, “Step Brothers”, with a closing bid at $47,100 on eBay last week. Partnering with his friend and USC fraternity brother, Craig Pollard, Ferrell came up with the idea to auction off the movie spot to raise the most money possible for Pollard’s scholarship foundation.

The venue was completely sold out with 225 golfers, and 350 auction and dinner attendees. The evening celebrated the scholarship recipients by awarding the new winners with 3-foot long checks for $16,000 signed by Ferrell. Comedian Sean Kent provided entertainment to the dinner attendees, along with Ferrell’s wife Viveca Paulin who served as auctioneer for five live auction items. During the banquet, Ferrell said “No matter how many award shows my wife and I attend every year, this one is always the most special to us.”
 
Cancer for College (CFC), created by Pollard, a two-time survivor of Hodgkin’s disease, was established in 1993 to provide college scholarships to current and former cancer patients.  Since then, the charity has awarded $200,000 to 80 young cancer survivors and amputees.  “Our program has increased considerably in the past four years, especially thanks to Will’s support,” says Pollard, whose mission with CFC is to provide inspiration to those battling cancer.  “Scholarship amounts and the number of winners selected have more than tripled.  We’re so blessed to be able to provide this gift to kids and their families who have endured so much in their lives.”
 
Cancer for College’s next fundraiser is a wine tasting event scheduled for January 26, 2008 in Seattle.  For more details on events, scholarships or ways to become involved, please log onto www.cancerforcollege.org.