Dana-Farber

September 9, 2009, The Boston Globe ­­— A Dana-Farber Cancer Institute fund-raising campaign has hit the $1 billion mark a year earlier than expected - despite the ragged economy - setting what is believed to be a record for New England health care institutions.

To raise enough money to participate in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, a two-day charity bike trip across Massachusetts, Rachel Gabriel started an unusual fund-raising event of her own, an evening of belly dancing performances. Her "Shimmy Fund" raised nearly $4,700 last year for the Jimmy Fund and put her in the Pan-Mass Challenge.