Dallas Mavericks Team Up and Ping-Pong to Fight Pancreatic Cancer

Dallas Mavericks' Coach Rick Carlisle teamed up with The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan). After losing two close friends to pancreatic cancer, Carlisle jumped on the opportunity to give back and support the PanCan organization. Carlisle raised funds and attracted hundreds Sunday to the SMU Moody Colliseum. Carlisle and team members Dirk Nowitzki, Juan (JJ) Barea, Roddy Beaubois, Caron Butler, LaShawn Stevenson, Jason Terry (among others); Olympian gymnasts Carly Patterson and Nastia Liukin; all gathered in a Ping-Pong tournament against professional table-tennis players, Sunday March 14th, 2010.

Our body uses the pancreas as part of the digestive system. This organ, located in the abdomen produces enzymes and hormones assisting the food break down process. A tumor in this area, diagnosed, leads to a 5-8 months life expectancy.

PanCan is a nationwide network of people dedicated and works together promoting research, helping patients and creating hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer. http://www.pancan.org/index.php.

Cheers to Caron Butler for showing up ready to play after turning 30 years old Saturday night (assuming he celebrated his birthday then!)

Although Mavs have been down and out with their current season, all players in jolly spirits, played ping-pong and had fun. Humbling moments, after all, only build character.

Gymnast Carly Patterson, who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself and was super fun to watch Ping-Pong and held her own in a tie breaker; Nastia Liukin played on tables 17, 18, 19 and 20.

Dirk surprisingly played to win and played the professional tables. Dirk kindly also played several exhibition games and rallied the fans into a frenzie - who knew basketball players could play table-tennis?

The celebrity rich event even drew in local talent Kidd Kraddick In the Morning Show's J-Si, who also showed quite a talent for table-tennis.

Rick Carlisle provided the leadership and inspiration and successfully pulled off an exciting, fan-filled celebrity fundraiser event.