Global Crossing CEO John Legere Racing to Raise $1 Million to Support Cancer Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

BOSTON, March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- John Legere, CEO of Global Crossing, is nearing the finish line of his goal to raise $1 million for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

On April 18, Legere will run in the 115th Boston Marathon, his seventh as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team.  He is the all-time leading fundraiser for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge and is less than $150,000 away from reaching his $1 million goal.

"This is a remarkable achievement and it speaks directly of John's commitment to provide Dana-Farber scientists with the resources they need to conduct early stage research, which is the critical first step in the development of new and better cancer treatments," said Jan Ross, director of Dana-Farber Marathon and Running Programs.

After a seven-year-old member of John's extended family was diagnosed with cancer and treated at the Dana-Farber (www.dana-farber.org), John's brother Paul decided to support the fight and encouraged John to join him in supporting Dana-Farber.  While seeing firsthand how courageous his family member was, and how much of an impact Dana-Farber has on cancer research, John decided to focus his energy on helping to find a cure by running in the Boston Marathon as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team.  In 2007, the campaign became even more personal for John when his mother was diagnosed with lymphoma.

"When you can link one of your passions, such as running, with your ability to raise money for a worthwhile cause, it's a no-brainer," Legere said.  "Like so many others, my family has been touched by cancer.  Rather than feel helpless I'm happy that I can use the gifts I've been given to help Dana-Farber in its goal of a world without cancer.  That is a fight I want to be a part of!"

One of the inaugural organizations in the official B.A.A. Boston Marathon® Charity Program, the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team directs 100 percent of funds raised to the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research.  The Barr Program funds scientists who are conducting fundamental research into the molecular genetics, biology and biochemistry of cancer.  Findings from this research can provide novel clinical insights as well the foundation to seek additional federal funding support.

Legere said the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team's support of basic cancer research was important to him.  "I was struck by the chance to help fund new groundbreaking research that will lead to cures by brilliant scientists that need our support," said Legere.  "I wanted to have an impact in this fight, so I decided to push myself with an aggressive goal."  

ABOUT DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (www.dana-farber.org) is a principal teaching affiliate of the Harvard Medical School and is among the leading cancer research and care centers in the United States.  It is a founding member of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC), designated a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute.  It provides adult cancer care with Brigham and Women's Hospital as Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center and it provides pediatric care with Children's Hospital Boston as Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center.  Dana-Farber is the top ranked cancer center in New England, according to U.S. News & World Report, and one of the largest recipients among independent hospitals of National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health grant funding.

SOURCE Dana-Farber Cancer Institute