March 24, 2011
Global Crossing CEO John Legere racing to raise $1 million as part of Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team
Running in the 115th Boston Marathon® puts Legere on the road to achieving milestone goal
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, 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."
Media Contacts
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dana Finn
617-632-4090
dana_finn@dfci.harvard.edu
Global Crossing
Michael Schneider
973-937-0146
Michael.Schneider@globalcrossing.com