FOR A GOOD CAUSE:

Fitness director Howard Dell joked that while getting into the Newport Beach Tennis Club is a challenge, it’s nothing compared to trying to get a liver transplant.

Unfortunately, Dell, 45, has earned the right to joke.

After undergoing what he described as “pride swallowing” medical tests two years ago, the world-class athlete and former Olympian learned he had Wilson’s disease, a rare and terminal disease where life-threatening levels of copper accumulate in the liver.

When the liver is working the way it should, copper is absorbed in manageable amounts through foods like mushrooms, nuts and chocolate. Excess copper is normally excreted through bile produced in the liver, but with Wilson’s disease, Dell explained, the liver doesn’t function properly, so the body hoardes copper, and the results are deadly.

Newport Beach Tennis Club owner Steve Joyce, who hired Dell as fitness director five years ago, said he didn’t realize his friend was sick until recently.

“I noticed something was wrong because Howard was real quiet all the time,” he said, and then Dell finally opened up about what he was going through and how sick he was.

Adding up were the costs for alternative treatments he was getting in New Zealand, massive quantities of prescribed medications and travel not covered by insurance.

But asking for help was not something the former professional athlete, Olympic bobsledder, actor and musician was comfortable doing.

He wanted to be Superman and take on the world himself.

When it came to Dell, though, people didn’t need to be asked.

Joyce said that’s what friends are for. He rallied the tennis community and held a benefit fundraiser for Dell at the club on New Year’s Eve that raised more than $12,000 — money that went directly to Dell to help him with those medical costs.

Julia Cohen, director of membership and marketing for the tennis club, helped organize the party, which included a silent auction.

She described Dell as an inspiration.

“The club received so many donations from the community for the silent auction. It was a compliment and a testament to Howard,” Cohen said.

Next up is a Pro-Am tournament and Round Robin benefit event the tennis club is hosting for Dell Feb. 2.

“This tournament is about helping make people aware of Howard’s condition,” Cohen said.

“It’s about advocacy and outreach, and we’d love to get as many people as we can to come and watch.”

Tennis pros Scott Davis and Rick Leach are doing all they can to support their friend and fellow athlete. Both pros will be among the players donating their time and talent to play in the tournament.

“When I heard about the idea for putting together a benefit tournament for Howard, it was an automatic yes response. Howard’s a friend, and this is a great cause,” Leach said.

Tennis club member Doug May met Dell about four years ago after his daughter was injured running track for Corona del Mar High School.

“Howard is a world-class athlete, domestically and internationally, and he understands track and field. Not only did he get her back from her injury, Howard got her exactly where she wanted to be,” which was back on the track, May said.

The two men became fast friends after that, May said, and it floored him when he received an e-mail from Dell — out of the blue — describing what was happening to him.

“He was just letting people know [about the disease]. Howard never feels sorry for himself, he always puts others first.”

May said Dell is optimistic, positive and rarely talks about his illness except when he’s trying to get more “sympathy strokes” on the golf course.

“He is an incredible inspiration for someone dealing with this,” May said.

“His will to fight it, to not let it shape and define him. He just wants to live his life.”

May is among many people who may not be playing in the tournament, but will be there to offer support and encouragement to a friend.

“I look at giving Howard the gift of time, and keeping some sense of normalcy in his life,” May said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Howard Dell Pro-Am Tournament and Round Robin

WHEN: Feb. 2

WHERE: Newport Beach Tennis Club, 2601 Eastbluff Drive

COST: $250 entry fee for the Pro-Am tournament; $50 for the Round Robin. There will be a players party from 8 p.m. to midnight with a DJ, dancing and raffle tickets for $5 each. Admission is a $10 donation at the door

INFO: For information, or to register, call (949) 644-0050 or go to www.nbtennisclub.com

SUE THOENSEN may be reached at (714) 966-4627 or at sue.thoensen@latimes.com.