NEWS RELEASES
Texas Children’s Hospital Takes Top Prize at Oilman’s Bass Invitational

Contributions top $1 million to Renal Unit

HOUSTON, March 11, 2009 – More than 1,200 amateur fishermen are converging on the Toledo Bend Reservoir near the Texas Louisiana border March 12-14 as part of the 19th annual Texas Oilman’s Bass Invitational (TOBI). While there may be a lot of talk of how the fish are biting, the underlying focus of the tournament is on children served by Texas Children’s Hospital. With funding from this year’s tournament, the organization will surpass $1 million in total donations it has made since 1990 to the hospital’s renal unit. TOBI organizers will kick off the event with a press conference March 12, World Kidney Day, (www.kidney.org), followed by the opening of tournament registration. Anglers will cast the first line Friday, March 13 at 7 a.m.

	Photo courtesy of Patrick Malloy

“Someone once said to me that our tournament has a heartbeat, and that person was right. Our passion for these kids runs deep,” said Jimmy Moore, TOBI president. “TOBI has always been about the kids,” he added. “Fishing is just our outlet to raise funds that will allow the kids to receive the best possible care available at Texas Children’s Hospital.”

Moore said they are expecting a record turn out of fishermen this year with 600 two-man teams. The tournament, which is sponsored by Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Outboards, will pay out more than $100,000 in cash prizes.

“The sustained commitment from TOBI over the past 19 years extends beyond the dollar amounts raised,” said Dr. Stuart Goldstein, medical director, renal dialysis unit and pheresis service at Texas Children's Hospital. “The TOBI board of directors connects with the kids, taking them on an annual fishing trip and participating in the annual Renal Holiday Patient and Family Party. TOBI listens to the needs of our program and worked with us to help fund a position for a dedicated Renal Service psychologist, who will benefit our patients and families greatly.”

The focus of the organization’s funding is on the renal unit at Texas Children’s Hospital. Contributions help provide financial assistance for less fortunate and underinsured families, send patients to dialysis and transplant camp and help fund computers patients can use while in the dialysis unit.

Moore said contributions have also helped enrich the healing process by helping create a child-friendly environment and indoor garden at the center and as well as purchasing equipment for treatment programs. Assistance with ancillary funding for patient-related research activities has also been funded by TOBI.

Skeeter's Demo Team, a group of professionally trained boat drivers, will conduct demo rides Thursday and Friday beginning at noon and Saturday, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. These demo rides give potential Skeeter owners a chance to "feel the Skeeter difference." Demo rides will be available from a host of Skeeter's product line-up, including its i-Class Series, ZX Series and Saltwater Series.

About Texas Oilman’s Bass Invitational
The Texas Oilman’s Bass Invitational (TOBI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 with more than 40 members who work in or are retired from the exploration, production and/or servicing of oil and gas wells throughout the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. For more information about TOBI, please visit the organization’s Web site at www.TOBIbass.org.

About Texas Children's Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital is committed to a community of healthy children by providing the finest pediatric patient care, education and research. Renowned worldwide for its expertise and breakthrough developments in clinical care and research, Texas Children’s is ranked in the top ten best children’s hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. Texas Children’s also operates the nation’s largest primary pediatric care network, with over 40 offices throughout the greater Houston community. Texas Children’s has embarked on a $1.5 Billion expansion, Vision 2010, which includes a Neurological Research Institute, a comprehensive obstetrics facility focusing on high risk births, and a community hospital in suburban West Houston. For more information, visit www.texaschildrens.org.
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