Remembering John Backus: Former Chair of the Alliance's Board

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance and its Board of Directors mourn the passing of our former Board Chair, John Carlton Backus Jr., who died on November 21, 2025, at the age of 67. John played an integral role at Chris4Life and transitioned with the organization as it merged with the Alliance, guiding our mission with clarity, passion, and a relentless belief in what is possible. He served on the Chris4Life Board from 2013 - 2016 and the Alliance Board from 2016 - 2017 before taking on the leadership role of Alliance Board Chair from 2017 - 2020. He was a dedicated advocate and visionary, and we are fortunate to have been a part of his extraordinary life, his service, and the compassion he brought to every community he touched. 

Based in Virginia, John led a successful career as a seasoned technology investor and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience investing in and managing rapidly growing companies. Before becoming a venture capitalist, he co-founded US Order, which revolutionized online banking, went public in 1995, and was sold to Visa. John held a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Beyond the accomplishments and accolades, John was simply a remarkable human being—warm, principled, and deeply dedicated to his family and the people he loved. Friends and colleagues often described his relentless optimism as a true force of nature, a sentiment we at the Alliance deeply understand and share. John believed in big ideas and bold action, and he pushed all of us to think differently about what was possible in our mission to end colorectal cancer. His leadership shaped our trajectory, his generosity strengthened our mission, and his belief in innovation continues to influence our path forward.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of our former Board Chair, John Backus,” said Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. “John was a leader and a catalyst. He invested in people and ideas as a venture capitalist and did the same in his philanthropic life. His conviction, strategic mind, and unwavering optimism helped guide the Alliance through a pivotal moment in our history.”

At the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, we remember John as a powerful leader, a generous supporter of our mission, and a man whose optimism helped shape the future of our organization. His service extended beyond strategy and governance. He led with heart, conviction, and a belief that we could create a world free of colorectal cancer.

We are grateful for his contributions and profoundly saddened by his loss. John’s impact will continue to inspire our work and the community he helped strengthen. On behalf of the entire Alliance community, we extend our deepest condolences to John’s family, friends, and all who were touched by his extraordinary life. We will continue our work in his honor, inspired by the optimism and tenacity he brought to every aspect of his extraordinary life.