Barbara McQueen heads up cancer benefit

Barbara McQueen to Co-Headline Asbestos Cancer Benefit on February 10, 2007

Steve McQueen's s widow is raising money and awareness to combat the cancer that killed her famous husband in 1980.

Barbara McQueen along with jazz sensation Chris Botti, are heading up an asbestos cancer research benefit on February 10, 2007. The Grammy Award-winning Botti and his band will perform an hour-long concert in a very intimate setting. The trumpeter's stellar career includes performances with renowned performers such as Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant and Sting.

The fund-raiser will be held at the home of Roger and Ann Worthington, who live in Capistrano Beach, California. The event runs from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Barbara McQueen will donate five original 16 x 20 photos and a signed limited edition of her new book, Steve McQueen: The Last Mile to a silent auction to benefit asbestos cancer research through the David "Punch" Worthington Research Lab.

"It recently came to my attention that not much medical progress has been made in the fight against Mesothelioma since my husband's death more than a quarter-century ago", McQueen said. "I'm very honored to use my name to bring awareness to this deadly form of cancer."

McQueen will be signing copies of her book throughout the six-hour benefit. The 240-page book contains approximately 150 pictures documenting Barbara McQueen's three-and-a-half year relationship with the movie icon, which includes candid shots from 1977 to 1980 McQueen's years out of the spotlight. It also chronicles Barbara's early history and modeling career; her years with Steve McQueen at Trancas Beach and Santa Paula as well as behind-the-scene photos on the sets of Tom Horn and The Hunter.

Tickets for the event are $150 per person and all guests must RSVP. To RSVP or for more information, call (310) 622-4960 or contact Jessica Like at jlike@phlbi.org. To register for tickets online, logon to www.phlbi.org/pages/2007_fundraiser.htm.

The David "Punch" Worthington Laboratory is located at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. The laboratory was made possible by a generous initial donation and continuing support from Roger G. Worthington. The Punch Worthington Lab is the home of exciting new research on novel strategies for the treatment of mesothelioma, lung cancer, leukemia, and other occupational cancers