WEEI-FM Boston and NESN raised a record $7.3 million for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. The funds came from the stations’ 24th annual radio-telethon, held Aug. 17-18 and broadcast live from Fenway Park.
The total marks the highest single-year amount in the event’s history and brings the cumulative total raised since 2002 to approximately $87 million for adult and pediatric cancer care and research.
More than 24,000 individual gifts supported the effort, with 85 percent under $250. The two-day broadcast featured patient stories, medical experts, and special guests including Hall of Famers David Ortiz and Johnny Damon, along with other Boston sports figures. A formal check presentation is scheduled for Sept. 2 at Fenway Park.The fundraiser was broadcast live from Fenway Park on Monday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 18, from 6 a.m. through midnight. The event included special appearances from Tom Caron and Brock Holt, Jimmy Fund co-chairs; Garrett Whitlock, Jimmy Fund Captain and Boston Red Sox pitcher; Sam Kennedy, Boston Red Sox president and CEO; Chad Tracy, Boston Red Sox manager; Jarren Duran, Adley Rutschman, Payton Tolle, Wilyer Abreu, Willson Contreras, Ceddanne Rafaela, Andruw Monasterio, Caleb Durbin, Anthony Seigler, Boston Red Sox players; Brianna Wakefield, daughter of the late Tim and Stacy Wakefield; David and Jennifer Lucchino, nephew and niece of the late Larry Lucchino; David Ortiz, former Boston Red Sox star; Rich Hill, former Boston Red Sox pitcher; Matt Barnes, former Boston Red Sox pitcher; Jarrod Saltamacchia, 2013 World Series Champion;
Also: Johnny Damon, 2004 World Series Champion; Jonathan Papelbon, 2007 World Series Champion; Roger Clemens; former Boston Red Sox pitcher; John Valentin, former Boston Red Sox infielder; Marco Sturm, Boston Bruins head coach; Charlie Jacobs, Boston Bruins CEO and alternate governor; Shawn Thornton, former Boston Bruins right winger; Tuukka Rask, former Boston Bruins goaltender; Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins goaltender; Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins defenseman; Torey Krug, former Boston Bruins defenseman; Andrew Raycroft, former Boston Bruins goaltender; Leon Powe, 2008 Celtics NBA Champion; Sean Grande, Boston Celtics play-by-play announcer; Mike Gorman, former Boston Celtics play-by-play announcer; Dana Barros, former Boston Celtics guard; Bill Chisholm, Boston Celtics owner;
And: Charlie Davies, former New England Revolution forward; Lawrence Guy, former New England Patriots defensive tackle; Jermaine Wiggins, former New England Patriots tight end; Devon McCourty, former New England Patriots safety; Steve Burton, WBZ-TV sports director, Sarah Wroblewski, WBZ-TV meteorologist; Joe Castiglione, retired WEEI Red Sox radio announcer; Michael Bivins of New Edition and Bell, Biv, Devoe; Bill O’Brien, head coach of Boston College football; Torey Lovullo, Arizona Diamondbacks manager; and other celebrities.
- Rob and Karen Hale ($1,000,000)
- The Ivascyn Family ($1,000,000)
- Red Sox Partners Challenge ($400,000)
- BJ’s Charitable Foundation ($250,000)
- The Johnston Family Foundation ($250,000)
- Find Mass Money ($176,224)
- Red Sox Clubhouse ($136,000)
- Arbella Insurance Foundation ($100,000)
- J. Alan Oremus ($100,000)
- Sherry and Gerry Cohen ($75,000)
- Applebee’s ($63,889)
- NESN and Employees ($50,000)
- The Brunswick ($30,000)
- Sean McDonough ($25,000)
- Ultimate Fighting Championship ($25,000)
- Keches Law Group ($25,000)
- Jim and Kathy Yoshizawa ($25,500)
- John D. McGonagle Foundation ($25,000)
- Alex Boch ($25,000)
- Boston Bruins Foundation ($25,000)
- Shawn Thornton Foundation ($25,000)
- The Lucchino Family Foundation ($25,000)
- Dan and Kerry Lyons ($25,000)
“Thank you to the thousands of supporters who came together for another record-breaking year and raised more than $7.3 million during this year’s WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon,” said Jimmy Fund Co-Chairs Tom Caron and Brock Holt. “Together, we made history in efforts to help strike out cancer. The Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon is an inspiring reminder of the incredible impact we can make together against cancer. We’re so proud to be a part of this team.”
“Thanks to the unbelievable generosity of our listeners and Red Sox fans, this year’s Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon shattered our record by raising over $7.3 million. Every dollar raised is a home run for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund,” said Mike Thomas, sports format vice president, Audacy. “I could not be prouder of our entire team for pulling off such a monumental effort.”
“This record-breaking year is a powerful reflection of the generosity of this community and the enduring impact of the Jimmy Fund’s mission,” said David Wisnia, president & CEO of NESN. “We’re incredibly proud to help bring the Radio-Telethon to viewers across New England, sharing the remarkable stories of Dana-Farber’s patients, families, doctors, and caregivers and inspiring more people to strike out cancer. Thank you to everyone who tuned in, donated, and helped make this historic year possible.”