BOSTON, Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Participants running on behalf of non-profit and community service organizations raised nearly $16 million this year in the 115th running of the historic Boston Marathon.  The runners gained entry through the Boston Athletic Association's Official Charity Program and John Hancock's Marathon Non-Profit Program.

Included among the charitable organizations benefiting from BAA sponsored runners in 2011 are the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Liver Foundation, Children's Hospital Boston, the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"The Boston Marathon has become an important fundraising event for local charities, and the B.A.A. is honored to have a partner in John Hancock as we extend our reach far into the community," said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director. "Participating in the Boston Marathon is a lifelong dream for most runners, and our collective charity programs have enabled thousands to experience the event while raising meaningful funds in the process."

Some of the non-profit organizations that participated in the John Hancock program were:  Massachusetts General Hospital, Joslin Diabetes Center, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, AccessSport America, the Hoyt Foundation and Horizons for Homeless Children.  

"John Hancock non-profit runners raise money and raise hope for individuals and organizations every year.  We are proud to leverage our Boston Marathon sponsorship to benefit the important work of so many organizations in the Boston area," said James R. Boyle, President of John Hancock.

The B.A.A. Official Charity Program and John Hancock Marathon Program have combined to raise more than $150 million dollars over the past 26 years.

About the Boston Athletic Association

Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit organization with a mission of managing athletic events and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and year-round running programs.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation

John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, Manulife Financial Corporation offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. For more than 120 years, clients have looked to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$481 billion (US$498 billion) as at June 30, 2011.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, fixed and variable annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at www.johnhancock.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Financial Services

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