Sept. 9, 1999 

Media Contact: Nancy Stringer (619) 543-6163

LOPICCOLA CHARITY MARLIN TOURNAMENT SET FOR OCT. 28-30 IN CABO SAN LUCAS

The 12th annual “For Pete’s Sake…” Memorial Marlin Fishing Tournament is scheduled for October 28 to 30 in Cabo San Lucas.  The tournament, sponsored by the Pete Lopiccola Memorial Foundation, has become the largest charity marlin tournament on the West Coast.  Proceeds benefit the UCSD Cancer Center.

Pete Lopiccola was a popular sport fishing boat captain who had particular prowess in fishing blue marlin in the waters off Cabo San Lucas.  Mr. Lopiccola developed leukemia and died within 45 days of his diagnosis.  That was in 1988.  Today, thanks to modern research advances, many patients survive their disease and go on to live normal, productive lives. 

This year, Patrick Owsley, a 15-year-old leukemia survivor who was diagnosed five years ago and treated at the UCSD Cancer Center and Children’s Hospital and Health Center, will be a special guest of the Lopiccola Foundation at the 1999 Tournament.  Patrick will share an inspiring and dramatic story of his battle with cancer.

“The hope for improving the lives of others afflicted with leukemia or other types of cancer was the impetus for creating the Lopiccola Memorial Foundation and the fishing tournament in Pete’s honor,” said board member Chuck Faith.  “Each year the tournament becomes more rewarding and fun for participants.  Many participants, who don’t fish, enjoy the parties, especially the awards banquet and auction.”

Tournament registration will take place Oct. 28, with fishing on Oct. 29 and 30, followed by an evening awards banquet.  There will also be a silent auction.  Tournament headquarters will be at the Hotel Hacienda.  Registration fees before Oct. 25 are $350, and $400 after Oct. 25.

Since 1991, the Lopiccola Foundation has provided more than $600,000 to the UCSD Cancer Center.  Last year’s event netted $135,000 to the Center, which was used to fund four cancer research fellowships.

For more information about the tournament, please contact Terri Brodeau at

(619) 560-4727 or Chuck Faith at (619) 291-0500.

The UCSD Cancer Center is one of 13 federally designated Clinical Cancer Centers in the United States.  As such, it is considered one of the nation's premier centers for both basic and clinical research, and for the most advanced conventional and investigational treatments for cancer patients.