WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Jim Boeheim, a long-time advocate in the fight against cancer through his affiliation with Coaches vs. Cancer, traveled to Washington on Tuesday to meet up with some colleagues and lawmakers. Boeheim was joined by Alabama coach Mark Gottfied, Connecticut mentor Jim Calhoun, Maryland's Gary Williams and Temple coach Fran Dunphy.
Boeheim and the group congregated with several members of Congress and Dr. John Seffrin, the CEO of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. They participated in a press conference to advocate for increased cancer research and funding from the federal government and also shared their own personal cancer stories. They spoke to a group of assembled media, as well as over 400 volunteers from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, who were on Capitol Hill that day to lobby their own members of Congress.
Coaches vs. Cancer is a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). Boeheim is chair of the Coaches vs. Cancer Governance Committee, which was formed to provide strategic leadership, advice and direction to the partnering activities, as well as implement policies and procedures.
Boeheim has been a tireless fundraiser for the cause. For the past nine springs, he and his wife, Juli, have hosted the "Basket Ball" in Central New York. The formal affair immediately became one of the marquee charitable events in the area.
The American Cancer Society presented Boeheim with its Distinguished Service Award in 2000.