Tampa Bay Downs is proud to host The Jesse Heikkila Foundation's charity event at Silks Poker Room on August 9th beginning at 6:00 P.M. For a $100 buy-in, you can enjoy the excitement of a rigorous poker game, dinner, and raffle prizes all while supporting an incredible organization.
Silks Supports the Fight Against Pediatric Cancer
Photo courtesy of 813area photographers
The Jesse Heikkila Foundation was created by the parents of seven-year-old Jesse Heikkila, in honor of their son's five-year battle with cancer. Jesse was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma at age three and continued to fight a brave battle against the disease until the age of seven.
In July of 2014, a nonprofit organization was created honor Jesse's fight, raise awareness about childhood cancer and to create a community of support for those struggling with Neuroblastoma. 
The Jesse Heikkila event at Silks Poker Room raises funds in support of The Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium (NMTRC).
The NMTRC is a group of eighteen collaborating universities and hospitals providing clinical trials as they seek new therapies for children and ways to improve the quality of life for survivors.
A primarily pediatric cancer, approximately seven hundred new diagnoses are made each year with few treatment options. Funding for the disease is minimal, resulting in the need for families to create local charity organizations, like The Jesse Heikkila Foundation.
Silks Poker Room invites you to play poker in support of this remarkable charity. You will enjoy dinner, can win prizes and be supporting a great cause! Silks Poker Room at Tampa Bay Downs is open seven days a week. Register with 813area to stay up to date on local charity events and find more great things to do in Tampa.
