Griffin thinks pink for breast cancer

Gavin Griffin's hair raised a few eyebrows when he debuted a new look at the Wynn Classic in Las Vegas last month. His bubblegum-pink spikes stood among the normally subdued coiffures of the professional poker circuit.

But what those at the tournament didn't know was that Griffin's dye job was more than a fashion statement: The pink hair was in support of his girlfriend, Kristen, who had survived breast cancer at the age of 21.

The color was also in anticipation his participation in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Los Angeles this Sept. 15-16.

Griffin - a one-time World Series of Poker record holder for youngest player ever to win a gold bracelet and recent winner of the European Poker Tour final in Monte Carlo - will join Kristen as they attempt to walk 40 miles and raise $50,000 for breast cancer research.

"We are using this opportunity to fight against breast cancer and raise the level of awareness in the general public," said Griffin in an interview with PokerListings.com.

Already the poker community is chipping in for the cause, starting with donations from PokerStars.com and several pros who have donated what Griffin says is "quite a bit of money."

To make your own donation to Griffin's walk, please visit the following sites: http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?px=3191666&pg=personal&fr_id=1284 or http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?team_id=36510&pg=team&fr_id=1284.

Since its launch in 1992, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has raised and awarded more than $400 million worldwide for research and treatment for the disease.