Chad Brown was a well known face on the poker circuit and considered by many to be one of the nicest guys in the game. Chad Brown battled cancer for an extended period of time but continued to play the game and keep in touch with his fans via social media. Earlier this month, Brown lost his battle with cancer but not before the World Series of Poker honoured him by awarding him the first ever WSOP honorary bracelet in an effort to recognize his contributions to the game of poker.
Brown who was active on social media right up till his death has numerous followers and fans on Facebook and Twitter. Hundreds of them passed on their condolences via social media and expressed the many ways in which Chad Brown touched and influenced their lives. Brown’s friends have decided to come together to host the first ever Chad Brown Memorial and Charity Poker Tournament which will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation.
Beau Eurell, Jennifer Winter and Vanessa Rousso have teamed up to launch and promote this charity poker tournament as a tribute to Chad Brown and his battle with cancer. The T.J. Martell Foundation focuses on funding innovative research that targets new cures for cancer, leukemia and Aids. The T.J. Martell Foundation earlier expanded its research to find a breakthrough for liposarcoma, the cancer that Brown fought.
Vanessa Rousso is Brown’s ex-wife and one of the main individuals behind this initiative. Even though they divorced, they continued to remain friends and stay in touch. Rousso said
I don’t know if many people know this but Chad is a Leo. He loved to be the center of attention; he had a flare for the grandiose. He would look at it like he was going out with a bang and celebrating his life with all the poker players that he loved. He was a poker player through and through and I know he is looking down proudly.
Chad was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and since then Rousso played an important role in being there for Chad and helping him stay strong and fight till the very end. She along with Chad’s friends admired the fight that Chad showed and his attitude of not complaining about his situation. This tournament will be a fitting reminder to all participants of Chad’s legacy and fighting tribute and the funds will be used to continue the fight against cancer.
