Press Releases, Stories & News

California Pipe Trades Aim to Cure – Birdslanding, California

This year has been a roller-coaster of lock-downs and economic uncertainty but we pushed onward and held our first fundraising event of 2020! Effects of these unprecedented times can obviously been seen in every aspect of our lives and we have not been untouched.

Assistant Executive Direction Shane Rucker, Foundation’s Board Member, Jim Kellogg, Beyond Golf’s, Kris Frigard, and Founding Board member, Jerry Neil Paul, relax after planning and hosting yet another successful event!

Many of our fundraising efforts have been placed on hold or cancelled but our fortunes turned in July when the California State Pipe Trades began planning the “Aim to Cure Mesothelioma” clay-shoot. With the unwavering support and leadership of Foundation Board Member, Jim Kellogg and CA Pipe Trades Executive Director, Aaron Stockwell we held a safe event that was enjoyed by our friends and supporters.

International Pipe Trades Representative, Derrick Kualapai with his brothers from UA Local 342, Business Manager Che Timmons, Jim Kellogg, Steve Mikich and Mike Mikich at their sponsored station. Thank you to Local 342 for coming out and supporting in a big way!

Once again, the event was held at the Birdslanding Hunting Preserve and netted approximately $40,000 for mesothelioma research! Despite the corona virus and fires from Southern to Northern California we saw a great turnout of more than 130 supporters of the event. Representing the Foundation at the event were Board Member’s Jim Kellogg and Jerry Neil Paul, as well as Assistant Executive Director Shane Rucker.

Local 16 Insulators Business Manager, Mel Breshears, Chris Greaney, Fortino Curiel and Mark Plubell stop for a pic at their sponsored station. The insulators not only brought out two teams but also took home an award. Great shooting guys!

After taking our chances at the sporting clays we had a delicious lunch and Jim Kellogg thanked everyone who attended and highlighted how important it is to stay involved in the events and continue to raise awareness. Jim Kellogg then turned the mic over to Jerry Paul who informed the supporters how Dr. Parkash Gill at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center of Los Angeles was using the donations.

Local 16 Insulator Retirees Ruck Dunley, Retirees President, Alan Pierce and Geoff Millar take some time for a picture at their sponsored station.

Jerry reported that the combination of EphB-4 and PD-1 has been submitted by Dr. Gill to the FDA for approval of a new clinical trial and that it had shown great promise at USC Norris, including their collaboration with UC Davis. Jim then asked Aaron Stockwell to say a few words before raffling off a few items to support the cause.

Jim Kellogg, Foundation Board Member and a catalyst of the event thanks the event sponsors and supporters for attending this year’s event in the face of so much uncertainty and making it a huge success!

Also, U.A. International Representative, Derrick Kualapai spoke with words of support and encouragement to many of us during the sporting clay shoot.

Founding Board Member Jerry Neil Paul with event hosts Jim Kellogg and California State Pipe trades Executive Director, Aaron Stockwell as Jim thanks the event sponsors.

With the Foundation’s administrative costs underwritten by The Paul Law Firm, 100% of the event net proceeds will go towards mesothelioma cancer research. With these sizable donations we can be assured that Dr. Gill’s mesothelioma cancer research at USC/ Norris Comprehensive Medical Center will be moving in the right direction.

The Foundation’s Founding Board Member, Jerry Neil Paul tells supporters how their donations are being used to promote new treatments for mesothelioma at the USC Norris Comprehensive Center and their affiliates.

Thank you to all who participated and made the event a success!

Foundation’s Assistant Executive Director Shane Rucker and Founding Board Member Jerry Neil Paul. We cannot thank enough the hosts, sponsors and supporters of this year’s event! We have certainly seen many ups and downs in 2020 but we pushed through!