Upcoming charity poker event at Bally’s in Las Vegas attracts poker celebs

Bally’s Casino in Vegas is making the final preparations for a charity poker tournament to be held December 9. The event, “All in for CP,” will benefit the One Step Closer Foundation, an organization that raises funds for those suffering from cerebral palsy (CP). Already onboard are several popular poker players, including John Cynn and Scott Blumstein.

One Step Closer holds two charity poker tournaments each year in Vegas, with the other being held during the WSOP in the summer. Its founder and president, Jacob Zalewski, was born three months premature in 1983 and was diagnosed with CP. Doctors put the odds of his survival at only 3%, but he has shown them that he’s in charge. He launched the foundation in 2007 with the late Sam Simon, who created The Simpsons.

Zalewski comments on the success of the foundation, “I never imagined that we would raise over $1 million and be having regular tournaments for the past 12 years. Every year, I’m truly humbled to see the support that the foundation receives. I want to thank everyone who has ever come out to play in one of our events.”

In addition to a stellar lineup of poker players, the event is also going to see support by a number of celebrities, including actor Cheryl Hines and Montel Williams. Both will be on hand as the event’s hosts and Hines said of Zalewski, “I love Jacob. It is truly inspiring that someone who has cerebral palsy has the resources and the spirit to start a foundation to help other people with cerebral palsy. It’s amazing to me and I really admire Jacob and I want to support him in any way I can.”