September 15, 2003
WB56 broadcasts live from the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk
finish line in Copley Square on Sunday, September 21 at 3 p.m.
Harry Belafonte
BOSTON — On Sunday, Sept. 21, from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., WB56 will present the "Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk," a special broadcast live from the finish line, hosted by WB56 Anchors Karen Marinella and Frank Mallicoat with special guest, actor Harry Belafonte.
More than 8,000 walkers are expected to participate in the 15th annual Walk to raise funds for cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk is the only event, other than the Boston Marathonâ itself, which is sanctioned by the Boston Athletic Association to use the official marathon route from Hopkinton to Copley Square in Boston.
"We're privileged to join forces again this year with one of New England's most beloved charities and support the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk," said Vinnie Manzi, vice president/general manager, WB56. "WB56 is committed to partnering with local non-profit organizations like The Jimmy Fund that make a difference in people's lives and in the community."
The live broadcast will capture the action at the finish line and feature interviews with walkers, patients, physicians and researchers. Belafonte, a prostate cancer survivor, will kick-off the three-mile Patient-Family portion of the Walk that begins at the Longwood Medical Area, then join the masses at the finish. Other notable guests include Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association Guy Morse, Chairman of the Jimmy Fund Mike Andrews (former Red Sox second baseman) and WB56 Hero Amber DaRosa, age 5, of Somerville, Mass. DaRosa is a Jimmy Fund Clinic patient being treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, also known as childhood leukemia.
The fundraising goal for this year's Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk is $5 million. Viewers watching the broadcast will be able to participate in the Walk by contributing to the Jimmy Fund on-line at www.jimmyfundwalk.org or calling 1-866-JFW-HERO.
Since 1948, hundreds of events, coupled with the generosity of millions of people, have helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives by furthering cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. WLVI-TV (WB56), Boston's WB affiliate and Tribune Broadcasting station, is home of "The Ten O'Clock News."
