Lawyer raises funds for cancer research in Duke's honor.

ATTORNEY Michael I. Wayne of Gibbs Giden Locher & Turner LLP spends his days litigating construction and commercial cases--and his nights raising money for cancer research.

Wayne is a grandson of Western film legend John Wayne, who died of lung and stomach cancer in 1979. His family started what is now known as the John Wayne Cancer Foundation in 1981 and since then it has raised millions of dollars lot cancer research, treatment and education.

Michael Wayne works primarily on fundraising for the group, which operates with a budget of about $20 million a year.

For Michael Wayne, the foundation's success has the added bonus of contributing to the legacy of his grandfather, who became an American icon in the course of his 50-year film career.

"He was really a larger-than-life person," said Wayne, who describes the rest of his family as very private. "I got to spend time with him on location. In Newport I would sit on his lap all day while he played backgammon. About half the things he said you'd want to write down."

He also remembers eating dinner with his grandfather in restaurants and the constant stream of fans coming by for an autograph or a photo.

"My dad used to say that he never ate a warm meal at a restaurant in his life," he said.

Although the foundation is now affiliated with St. John's Health Center, it remains a family affair. Michael's father, Patrick Wayne, is chairman of the board.

BY EMILY BRYSON YORK

Staff Reporter