LA JOLLA – Why get involved with the UC San Diego Legends of Science and Surfing?
“I can’t think of a better charitable event, combining science, surfing, and fundraising for cancer research,” said event co-chair John Dobak. “We get to hang out with surf legends from around the world and throw a great party on Saturday night.
“That’s why it’s been around for 32 years and raised over $12 million.”
Izzy Tihanyi, owner of Surf Diva and a cancer survivor and thriver, said, “Supporting cancer research is something close to my heart and I’m happy to participate in any way I can to help the cause and the cure.”
Tihanyi has generously supported this event since it started in 1993. Event co-founders John Otterson and Sam Armstrong, along with a committee that includes Fred Borrelli of Scorpion Bay Hotel, scientist Sam Iacobellis, and Jon Roseman of Tavarua and Namotu Island Resorts, Fiji, got the wave of cancer-curing started.
Winners this year were Cooley for the surf contest, and the prestigious Rell Sunn Award went to Laura Shawver, Ph.D.
Shawver was recognized for her 25 years in life sciences, most recently as chief executive officer of Capstan Therapeutics (now AbbVie), which reprograms T-cells in vivo to wipe out pathogenic B cells. My hero!
Jay Hagan of Regulus Therapeutics and John Dobak, MD of the JAKK Group, were the incredible co-chairs again, successfully mixing science and surfing closer to the ultimate goal of curing cancer.
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Jay Hogan with big wave star JoJo Roper. (Photo by Margo Schwab/Special to La Jolla Village News) 
Jay Hogan, Moores Cancer Center director Diane Simeone, MD, and John Dobak. (Photo by Margo Schwab/Special to La Jolla Village News) 
Real estate’s Ozstar de Jourday with Izzy Tihanyi and Jonathan Melendres. (Photo by Margo Schwab/Special to La Jolla Village News) 
Dr. Ted Welling, surgeon, Diane Simeone, MD, and Tyler Callaway. (Photo by Margo Schwab/Special to La Jolla Village News) 
Event co-founder Sam Armstrong surfing for WP Carey Foundation. (Photo by Margo Schwab/Special to La Jolla Village News) 
Tyler Calloway with surf legend Buzzy Kerbox. (Photo by Margo Schwab/Special to La Jolla Village News) 
Cancer thrivers Tyler Calloway of FCS Fins with Jon Schmauss of Duke’s, Todd Deckman, Izzy Tihanyi, and Katie Kinninger who was saved by CAR T-cell immunotherapy. (Photo by Margo Schwab/Special to La Jolla Village News) 
Big wave surfer Saxon Boucher. (Photo by Margo Schwab/Special to La Jolla Village News)
