Press Releases

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) is holding its 5th Annual Ante Up for Autism fundraising event November 5 at 5 p.m. at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and Spa, 1 Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. Ante Up is a fundraising poker tournament—also featuring music, cocktails and live and silent auctions—to raise money for the national nonprofit organization TACA, dedicated to the support, education and empowerment of families touched by autism.

Patrick McIlvain of San Clemente is the event chair. He and wife Stephanie found TACA shortly after their 10-year-old son was diagnosed with autism and have been supporters ever since. Patrick is Vice President of Sports Marketing for Oakley, Inc., one of the many event sponsors, including the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Professional Football Players Mothers Association and New Era.

Among this year’s celebrity guests are actors Mark-Paul Gosselaar, AJ Buckley, Jonathon Schaech; musician Cisco Adler; athletes Gretchen Bleiler, Kerry Walsh and Brett Hughes as well as professional poker players Michelle Lau, David Mosikian and Joe Sebok. The VIP reception and general admission opens at 5 p.m. followed by an event presentation and auction at 7 p.m. and an 8 p.m. poker tournament start. Last year’s event raised more than $220,000 (gross) for supporting TACA’s aim to speed up the time between diagnosis and treatment and to improve quality of life for people with autism. Tickets start at $250 and the event is open only to ages 21 and over.

To purchase tickets, see tacanow.org