Dravecky to Speak at Founders’ Brunch

Former major league pitcher Dave Dravecky, who earned the American Cancer Society’s courage award, will be the guest speaker at the Circle 1000 Founders’ Brunch March 24 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach.

Dravecky’s major league career ended because of a malignant tumor in his left arm. Dravecky had his left arm and shoulder amputated in 1991 because of progressive pain and loss of function.

In 1988, a malignant tumor and one-half of the muscle in Dravecky’s pitching arm were removed. He pitched a one-hit shutout for eight innings in a brief comeback for the San Francisco Giants but later suffered a broken arm while pitching in Montreal.

Dravecky was presented the courage award by President Bush in 1990 and the Silvio O. Conte Award from the Vince Lombardi Foundation in 1991.

Reservations for the brunch, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., can be obtained by telephoning 574-7214. All proceeds will help support cancer research at the Hoag Cancer Center.