Sept. 19, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Temple University head men's basketball coach Fran Dunphy will be one of five coaches to speak with legislators, cancer survivors and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network on Tuesday, September 23 at Russell Senate Park to demand that Congress pass legislation regulating tobacco products and boost the federal investment in cancer research, prevention and early detection programs after five years of flat or cut funding.

Dunphy, the 2002 National Coaches vs. Cancer Coach of the Year, will be joined by fellow head coaches Jim Boeheim of Syracuse, Jim Calhoun of Connecticut, Mark Gottfried of Alabama and Gary Williams of Maryland. The group represents more than 500 NCAA college basketball coaches that have made a commitment to beat cancer by raising nearly $45 million since its inception to fund cancer research.

Legislators who will be on-hand for the event include Senator Robert Casey (D-PA), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Representative Arthur Davis (AL-07) and Representative Joe Courtney (CT-02)..

Dr. John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, will also be in attendance.

The event will commence at 9:30 a.m.. It will be relocated to the Russell Caucus Room if there are weather concerns.