Hank Baskett Teamed Up With The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation To Host His Inaugural Golf Classic May 21, 2012

NFL Wide Receiver Takes on Biggest Fight of His Life for His Father and Rallies a Star-Studded Team of Players to Tackle Lung Cancer

SAN FRANCISCO, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For NFL wide receiver Hank Baskett, Lung Cancer is personal. On May 21, the former Minnesota Vikings player rallied a star-studded list of Hollywood and athletic celebrities to host his inaugural Hank Baskett Classic Golf Tournament, saying he was launching his "biggest challenge ever," to wage a war on this #1 killer cancer. He's fighting on behalf of his father who is being treated for Lung Cancer.

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Teaming up with the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, a recognized global leader in Lung Cancer research and awareness, Baskett rallied an A-Team of about 25 celebrities to play in the tournament held at Trump National Golf Club, Rancho Palos Verdes, California, on Monday, May 21, 2012. Celebrities included: Alfonso Ribeiro, Antonio Pierce, Jermaine Dye, Kris Humphries, Marcellus Wiley and his wife Kendra Wilkinson and two-year-old son, Hank IV.

"It was amazing to see all these beautiful people coming out to fight against Lung Cancer and how they brought such a heightened awareness, respect and caring in a powerful way," said Bonnie J. Addario, founder and Lung Cancer survivor. "Hank's father is a big warm hug of a guy and is determined to fight the fight."

Joining his son at the golf tournament, Henry Randall "Hank" Baskett, Jr. of New Mexico was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer last fall. Spending much of his career in the Air Force, he has spent the last 16 years helping abused children through a social service agency he runs. "You can see why his son is following in his footsteps and has such an impact in leading others to fight the fight on Lung Cancer," Addario added. "Everyone at the tournament told us 'when Hank calls, we come.' And, Hank told us that if we love what he did at this golf tournament in just three months, we will love to see what he can do in the next year."

Through working with the Foundation, Baskett is determined to make a difference in the battle against Lung Cancer. The statistics are grim: 1.6 million people worldwide will be diagnosed with Lung Cancer this year. Only 15.5% will survive.

"You can see the passion Bonnie has and that is one of the many reasons why I chose to work with the Foundation," said Baskett following the tournament.

Baskett will join the Foundation again on June 11, 2012 for its Seventh Annual "Lung Cancer: Drive It off the Earth" Golf Tournament to be held at Green Hills Country Club in Millbrae, CA.

About the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
BJALCF is one of the largest philanthropies (patient-founded, patient-focused, and patient-driven) devoted exclusively to eradicating Lung Cancer through research, early detection, education, and treatment. The Foundation works with a diverse group of physicians, organizations, industry partners, individuals, survivors, and their families to identify solutions and make timely and meaningful change. BJALCF was established on March 6, 2006 as a 501© (3) non-profit organization. www.lungcancerfoundation.org

SOURCE Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation