Look To The Stars News: Cancer For College

Will Ferrell Raises Laughs And Money At Charity Golf Classic

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo in San Diego was ‘classy’ on Friday afternoon as actor/comedian Will Ferrell once again hosted the annual Cancer For College Golf Classic and Live Auction.

“We gave out about 15 or 20 [scholarship checks] four years ago,” CFC founder Craig Pollard said. “Last year, it was around 100. This year, it’s exploded.”

With the aid of Pollard’s most famous fraternity brother, this year’s sold out event raised more than $250,000 for the foundation that provides college scholarships to cancer survivors.

When asked what his favorite part of the Cancer for College Golf Classic was, it wasn’t the golf Ferrell was excited about: “Getting to see my old friends, and golf is so secondary. The banquet part of evening is the really the highlight. Getting to meet the new scholarship winners, and to revisit with the old scholarship winners, to see their progress and meet their families…to see how much of an affect this charity has on their lives.”

Ferrell addressed the media wearing black/white checkered shorts, an ‘Army Man’ t-shirt, and a pair of gold Pumas which begged an explanation, “They were actually built for me by scientists at NASA, so I can actually levitate for 30 seconds at a height of 15 to 20 feet. I don’t know how that will help me with my golf, but that’s just a cool trick.”

Another cool trick Ferrell has performed is helping the event grow from a little known backyard fundraiser into one of the premier charity events in San Diego. And he’s done it all for his college pal Pollard, who is a local golf entrepreneur, cancer survivor and double amputee.

For the most part, Ferrell addressed the media with his deadpan humor, and even busted out an impromptu ‘Ron Burgundy’ impression, a character he famously portrayed in the movie ‘Anchorman.’ “It is a glorrrious day,” said Ferrell as Burgundy, “here in beautiful Son Diego, we’ve got a record turn out. I thought there’d be more media here frankly, for someone of my stature. In fact, I’ll have to say as I look out into the face of the media here, you guys look like a bunch of idiots compared to when I was in the news game. Have some class, some dignity. I don’t see anyone wearing a suit.”

After the funny man had the media warmed up, he got serious about his support for the event.

“For all of the things Craig has been through kind of physically and emotionally, he’s probably one of the most upbeat, positive people you can ever be around,” said Ferrell. “He just epitomizes . . . perseverance. The fact that he’s so involved in helping others when he could easily sit back and say, ‘Woe is me,’ he never does that. He’s just kind of a shining example to everyone who meets him of the power of being positive and having a great outlook on life.”

Ferrell has generously donated more than one check to Pollards foundation. “His loyalty has been phenomenal,” Pollard said. “Those two commercials that he did for the Super Bowl – all that money went to the charity. Budweiser paid him $250,000, Proctor and Gamble $500,000.”

Two of Ferrell’s playing partners, Emil and William, were excited about taking part in the event. “We expect to be slightly above par even though it’s a scramble,” Emil said as he proudly sported the same black/white shorts as Ferrell, “Will [Ferrell] keeps us in the game.”

William was curiously out of uniform and dressed in a military jumpsuit, instead of the shorts. “I wanna support our troops right now in Iraq,” he explained, “You know, sport the jumpsuit and give a little preview for tonight’s bidding [William won the jumpsuit at last year’s auction]. There’ll be some great items up for bids tonight, and, its all for the kids!”

(Photos copyright Delinda Lombardo)

Will Ferrell To Host Charity Auction

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Comedy actor Will Ferrell is to host a live fundraising auction for a charity founded by a friend who survived cancer.

The 41-year-old star will host the auction during the 15th Annual Cancer for College Golf Classic, an event that also includes a golf tournament, banquet and after-party. Cancer For College – an organization which helps cancer survivors seeking college education – was established by Chris Pollard, Ferrell’s frat brother at USC, in 1993 after a life-threatening infection and two long battles with Hodgkin’s lymphoma caused him to lose both his feet below the ankles.

“A lot of the credit for our growth has to go to Will Ferrell and his wife, Viveca Paulin,” said Pollard. “They bring an instant awareness to the charity that we probably couldn’t have achieved on our own. In life, people can choose to be charitable with their time or their money. Will and Viveca have been extremely generous to Cancer for College with both.”

Ferrell has been a supporter of the charity since 2006, and has called it one of the “purest” charities he has ever seen. In 2007 he auctioned a movie role in Step Brothers to benefit the charity, which raised $47,000

“Will is one of the most down-to-earth celebrities you will ever meet,” said Pollard. “He really goes out of his way to make sure everyone from the participants to the scholarship recipients and their families have a memorable day.”

The event takes place on September 19, and more information can be found at the Cancer for College website.

Ferrell Attends Cancer for College Golf Tournament

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 10:42:52 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

On Friday, September 28th, at the Temecula Creek Inn, actor Will Ferrell took part in the 2007 Cancer for College Golf Tournament and Dinner Banquet to benefit cancer survivors and help them reach their goal of a college education. The event was hosted by Cancer for College founder Craig Pollard, who is a two-time Hodgkin’s disease survivor and fraternity brother of Ferrell’s.

“Each year I’ve gotten more and more involved directly, I think Craig first just invited me as a friend, you know a former fraternity brother to come and have a good time, and each year we started thinking of more ways to give time to charity and so you know its grown” said Ferrell.

With about 240 golfers eagerly awaiting tee-off, Ferrell mingled among the participants who enjoyed a stellar BBQ complimented by island music. He was nothing short of down to earth and extremely sincere. When asked about the recent extra role in his new film Step Bothers that was sold at auctioned last week to benefit Cancer for College, Ferrell’s comedic nature surfaced.

“We auctioned off an extra role in the current film I’m working on now, called Step Brothers, it’s myself and John C. Reilly. We’re the new Abbott and Costello maybe?” He also was thrilled at the final bid of $47,100, and when asked if 100% of the proceeds will go to Cancer for College, the funny man was quick to respond, “No, I think I get it?” he said, “No 100% goes to charity and that’s another reason why this is such a special event because I don’t think I’ve ever been involved in a charity that gives so much directly to the kids.”

Thanks to Ferrell’s role in the charity, the 2007 Cancer for Charity event raised more than $150,000 for this very worthwhile foundation. And I say worthwhile because Ferrell himself put it onto perspective, “There is such a sweet nature to this whole event, and it’s really only run by Craig and his wife Stacey, so to see how far its grown- it just makes you want to help people in any way you can, and also to meet the kids it effects and the fact that they don’t turn any applicant away.”

Although Pollard has both legs amputated below the knees, he took to the greens and hit a line drive that seemed to disappear into space. Not only does he have a wicked swing, but a fierce spirit that inspires everyone who meets him.

“Craig is one of the more special individuals you’ll ever get to meet,” said Ferrell, “Between surviving cancer and having the (leg) amputations, it’s just someone that you really look up to. If you feel sorry for yourself for some reason one day, you kind of think about someone like Craig Pollard and you don’t really have a reason to [feel bad for yourself].”

Ferrell wasn’t the only one entertaining golfers along the greens. Minnesota based BogeyPro.com teamed up with Cancer for College by placing 18 different humorous sponsorship signs around the course. ‘Today’s opportunity to flirt with the beer cart girl’ sponsored by Marriott is just one example. Others sponsored signs along the greens included ‘That tree on the right side of the fairway’; ‘the painfully slow play in front of you’; ‘the nagging guilt for taking today off’, and ‘the really bad player on your team’ were just a few that kept players smiling throughout the day. “With Will as host, it only seemed fitting that we throw something fun into each hole,” said Craig Pollard.

It’s also important to take note of the participants who shelled out big bucks to tee off for the greater good. Many were eagerly waiting tee time in their golf carts, while others mingled around the BBQ as Ferrell enjoyed his time with Pollard. All persons involved, from Will Ferrell and his wife Viveca Paulin, to Pollard and his family, to the participants, gathered together for an amazingly admirable quest to help those in need. The Cancer for College golf tournament and dinner banquet was one spectacular fundraiser that will no doubt continue to grow as word spreads about its heartfelt efforts.

Ferrell Movie Role Brings $47,000 For Cancer Charity

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:23:26 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

A 10-year-old boy has won Will Ferrell’s charity auction after the boy’s father bid $47,100, all of which will go to the Cancer For College foundation.

The boy will get a non-speaking part as an extra in Ferrell’s new movie, Step Brothers, and in a statement released by the foundation he said:

“Winning this auction means a lot to me on a very personal basis. I lost my mother to ovarian cancer a few years ago, so I feel fortunate that my 10-year-old and I are able to participate in an event involving Cancer for College and Will Ferrell.”

Ferrell was delighted with the result, saying, “We are overwhelmed with the response and generosity to the auction. This money will help so many young people with their dreams of attending college.”

The winner will meet Ferrell on Friday at the 14th annual Cancer For College golf tournament dinner in Temecula, and will join the actor on the movie set next month.

Ferrell’s friend Craig Pollard founded Cancer For College to provide scholarships to current and former cancer patients. The foundation has awarded $200,000 to 50 cancer survivors since 1993.

Will Ferrell Auctions Cameo Appearance

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:11:24 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Actor Will Ferrell is auctioning a cameo appearance in his latest film to raise money for the Cancer For College foundation. Founded by Craig Pollard, Ferrell’s friend from university and cancer survivor, the charity provides college scholarships to current and former cancer patients.

Online bidding opens at $5,000 on September 17, and the auction runs until September 26. The winner will visit the set of Step Brothers in October and appear in a scene. The movie, due out next year, stars Ferrell and John C. Reilly as the spoiled sons of single parents who become competitive stepbrothers when their parents marry.

Ferrell says the brief appearance is a “perfect Christmas present for your son or daughter. It is the surefire way to win the parent of the year award. Support this amazing cause, by buying them me.”

The winner of the auction will be announced the day after bidding ends.

Last year Ferrell took part in a golf tournament supporting the same charity.

Ferrell Helps Friend's Cancer Charity

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 11:44:30 -0000

Written by Hannah Coone

On September 22nd, Will Ferrell took part in a golf tournament for his favorite charity, Cancer For College. The event was hosted by charity founder Craig Pollard, one of the comedic actor’s former fraternity brothers at University of Southern California.

Cancer for College began with a business plan Pollard wrote up during senior year at University. It was established in 1993 to provide college scholarships to current and former cancer patients. In February 2006, Pollard himself was hospitalized when a bacterial blood infection forced doctors to put him in a sedated coma for 3 weeks. Consequent blood circulation problems led to the amputation of both legs below the knees. After this ordeal, Pollard extended the scholarships to include amputees.

To date, Cancer for College has donated $67,000 in scholarships to 50 students. This year’s 10 new scholars will share $53,000 thanks to Will Ferrell and his wife, Viveca Paulin. Pollard said, “Ferrell did some Sprint commercials and said he would donate the check, thinking it’d be $10,000. He later called saying, ‘I was way off.’” The actual fee donated was $100,000.

Will Ferrell commented on the lighthearted event, “This is such a fun day for everyone. It’s a chance for old friends to get together and badly play golf and celebrate survival. This is the 6th year I have been involved. There’s been some lewd conduct in the past; I shot a guy last year because he picked up my ball.”

Pollard spoke of the benefits of celebrity support, saying, “Our program has increased considerably in the past 4 years especially thanks to Will’s support. 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.”

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