World-famous waterman Laird Hamilton will be in Surf City Saturday to support the 2nd annual PacSun Pipeline to a Cure Gala put on by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The gala, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, will be hosted by Hamilton and Dave Kalama. The evening will feature a special headline performance from Shiny Toy Guns as well as a performance from former American Idol Season 8 contestant Kai Kalama.

Tickets are still available for the event.

Here’s more from the announcement:

Chris Cote, surfer and current Editor-in-Chief of TransWorld SURF, will emcee the event, with radio personality Shawn Parr as the night’s auctioneer. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has chosen Mike Sullivan “The LA Car Guy” as their 2009 PacSun Pipeline to a Cure honoree and will be awarded at the event for his generous contributions to the organization and program over the years. For the second year in a row, Mike Sullivan has generously donated a new Toyota Prius to the opportunity drawing.

The CF Foundation’s PacSun Pipeline to a Cure campaign was initiated after research showed that young cystic fibrosis (CF) patients who surf had healthier lungs. CF is a fatal genetic disease that causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus, which clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. Doctors in Australia determined that inhaling saltwater mist has a powerful effect on rehydrating the lining of the lungs and allowing CF patients to more easily eliminate bacteria-contaminated mucus. This “saltwater” breakthrough has led to hypertonic saline treatments which CF patients around the world use daily. While average life expectancy has doubled in the past 25 years to age 37 — due to advances in treatment and care — funding is still urgently needed to find a control or cure for cystic fibrosis.  With almost 30 potential therapies in the drug development pipeline, there is tremendous hope for the future of those living with this disease.

The PacSun Pipeline to a Cure campaign is raising funds and increasing global awareness of the unique bond between the sport of surfing and those with cystic fibrosis. Last year’s inaugural gala raised more than $400,000 for research and patient care.

“For the CF Foundation, the PacSun Pipeline to a Cure campaign and gala brings the CF message to a new audience of potential supporters with a passion for the ocean. So many in the surfing community, upon learning of the positive impact on those with CF, have enthusiastically embraced our cause and we hope this event only furthers their interest and commitment,” said Colleen O’Higgins, Executive Director, Southern California-Orange County CF Foundation.

Event co-chairs include Paul Motenko, co-founder of BJ’s Restaurants; Jerry Hennessy, co-founder of BJ’s Restaurants; Judy Burlingham, owner of Coast Benefit Consultants; and Todd Elder, owner of Newport Surf Camps. PacSun Pipeline to a Cure would like to thank Chop Shop and Fuel TV for their continued support to the cause.

About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the leading organization devoted to curing and controlling cystic fibrosis. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation funds CF research, has 73 chapter and branch offices throughout the country, and accredits a nationwide network of 115 CF care centers, which provide vital treatments and other CF resources to patients and families. To advance the search for a cure, CFF has invested nearly $300 million in promising scientific research in the biotechnology industry since 1998. As a result, the Foundation has more than 30 potential therapies in its drug discovery and development pipeline. Virtually every approved CF drug available today was made possible because of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation support. For more information, visit www.cff.org.

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