Poker fan Zachary Butler’s last wish is to meet his poker idol, Daniel Negreanu. And the Dream Foundation charity will make that happen for the terminally ill Tennessee man.
Butler will travel to Las Vegas on Monday and return home Thursday. His mother, Cynthia Mayberry, told CardsChat his family will stay at a casino on the Strip. He has some other plans besides meeting Kid Poker, including, of course, hitting the felt.
“He would love to get some pro autographs,” she said.
Las Vegas is certainly the place to be when it comes to seeking professional poker player autographs. Many big name pros such as Doyle Brunson, Eli Elezra, and Jean-Robert Bellande regularly play at Aria and Bellagio.
‘Trip of a Lifetime’
Butler was diagnosed with Friedrich’s Ataxia, a rare disease that impairs speech, causes difficulty walking, and a loss of feeling in the arms and legs. Only 1 in 40,000 people suffer from this genetic disorder, according to HealthLine.com.
There is no cure for the disease. He was given six months to live. But that isn’t going to stop Zachary from continuing to live his life to the fullest.
Ali Mason, a reporter for WBBJ 7, an ABC affiliate in West Tennessee, reported that Butler will have his wish fulfilled by the Dream Foundation, a charity that grants final wishes to terminally-ill adults.
Zachary wants to meet Daniel Negreanu, his favorite poker player, and will get that opportunity next week. His mother told Mason that Las Vegas will be a “trip of a lifetime.”
Negreanu confirmed Butler will visit his home and play a friendly game of poker against the PokerStars ambassador.
For Love of the Game
Poker has played an important part in Butler’s life. Mayberry said in her interview with WBBJ that her son would “put me off the table in a heartbeat.” Zachary, apparently, isn’t the type whose afraid to check-raise his own mother.
“He does not care,” she told her local news station. “When he’s on that table, he doesn’t see me for mom, he sees me as another poker player.”
Mayberry told CardsChat that her son has won a few small tournaments in Tunica, “buy-ins were under $100.” She said his biggest win was “only $800,” but he “wins a lot of local bar tournaments.”
Poker is Butler’s favorite game. He said he’s “competitive” and likes the “strategy” required to win. Friedrich’s Ataxia impairs his muscle movement, but doesn’t impact his ability to think. Therefore, he’ll be able to play the game he loves once he arrives in Las Vegas.
Dream Foundation is paying for his travel expenses, and they also sent him t-shirts, playing cards, and $200 for gambling.
“He is so excited about this trip,” Cynthia Mayberry told CardsChat.
As he should be. Las Vegas is a Bucket List destination for any poker player.
