August 16, 2008
WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon raises a record $4.8 million to help strike out cancer
The 7th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon reached new heights with people from all 50 states and around the world calling in on Aug. 14 and 15 to support the fight against cancer. As of midnight on Aug. 15, a record $4,839,016 was raised for pediatric and adult cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
"The Radio-Telethon is an annual reminder that cancer touches just about everyone," said Jimmy Fund Chairman and 1967 Red Sox second baseman Mike Andrews. "We are so thankful for all of the contributions. With the help of WEEI and NESN and all of its viewers and listeners, the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber are working towards conquering cancer for good."
The two-day, 36-hour Radio-Telethon broadcast on WEEI 850-AM Sports Radio and New England Sports Network (NESN) live from Fenway Park featured compelling patient stories, expert information from Dana-Farber researchers and doctors, celebrity guests, sports panels, and emotional ceremonies.
The Radio-Telethon has earned a reputation for being a signature event in which celebrities are eager to participate. Both Donald Trump and Curt Schilling called in with a gift of $50,000. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig contributed $40,000 on behalf of MLB, and Bruins owner Charlie Jacobs gave $25,000. Comedian Mike O'Malley gave $10,000 and "Fever Pitch" directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly called in with $6,000. Red Sox manager Terry Francona stopped by in person with a check for $5,000. Author Harlan Coben challenged listeners to be the first to make a gift of $10,000 and be named in his next book. One listener who wants to stay anonymous took him up on his offer.
Other celebrity supporters and callers included Ben Affleck, John Krasinski, Tony Danza, Kevin Nealon, Steven Wright, Keith Lockhart, John O'Hurley, John Ratzenberger, Dane Cook, Stephen King, James Denton and George Stephanopoulos.
The Radio-Telethon wasn't just for callers. Hundreds of sports enthusiasts had the opportunity to enjoy two unique luncheons at Fenway Park. On Thursday, WEEI's John Dennis and NESN's Tom Caron hosted Trophy Talk with Boston Celtic Glen "Big Baby" Davis, Bruins legend Ray Bourque, and Sox pitcher Curt Schilling. On Friday, Red Sox announcers Joe Castiglione of WEEI and NESN's Don Orsillo moderated Sit Down with the Sox with Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia and Jed Lowrie. Plus, an authentic 2007 Red Sox World Series ring went for $90,961 to an anonymous donor in a special auction to support the Jimmy Fund.
The Jimmy Fund has been an official charity of the Boston Red Sox since 1953. As one way to pay tribute to the organization, the Sox create an emotional pre-game ceremony, which also helps encourage Red Sox fans to support the annual Radio-Telethon. On Thursday, as the Sox prepared to take on the Texas Rangers, Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon Race Director, ran into Fenway Park and around the bases with Jimmy Fund patient Jordan Leandre to finish up a 54-mile run that day, collecting contributions for the Jimmy Fund along the way. This run was to not only mark his 54th birthday, but the 30th anniversary of his cross country run to support the Jimmy Fund. Eight-year-old Leandre is in remission from acute anaplastic large cell lymphoma. He is often remembered as the boy in the body cast who was wheeled out by David Ortiz to sing the national anthem many years ago, and at the 2007 Radio-Telethon, Leandre amazed the crowd by running around the bases during pre-game ceremonies. Singer and actress Jo Jo Levesque of Foxboro sang the national anthem and comedian Bill Cosby threw out the first pitch on Thursday.
Friday's game was cancelled to rain, but it didn't dampen the Radio-Telethon's momentum. Sgt. Scott Miller, member of the Massachusetts National Guard from Newton, NH, who served tours in Iraq, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, was supposed to throw out the first pitch. Instead, he was honored for his service and given the World Series Trophy to hold live on TV. While serving in Iraq, Sgt. Miller experienced some health problems and was ultimately diagnosed with an incurable neuroendocrine tumor.
"Our listeners are amazing. After hearing patient stories they don't hesitate to dig deep into their wallets to support the Jimmy Fund," said Jason Wolfe, VP of AM Programming for Entercom New England. "Dana-Farber doctors are making substantial progress every year and we're proud to play a role in their continued success."
"NESN is proud to support the great work that is done every day at the Jimmy Fund," said Sean McGrail, NESN President. "No other event on our broadcast calendar is as important, or has as much of an impact on as many people as this event."
For more information, go to www.jimmyfundradiotelethon.org.
Radio-Telethon history
The Jimmy Fund is celebrating 60 years this year. Back in 1948, members of the Boston Braves visited the hospital bedside of a 12-year-old boy with cancer, dubbed "Jimmy" to protect his identity. The visit was broadcast nationally on radio and people gave generously to help children like him battling the disease. That broadcast along with player appearances and radio appeals during Braves games, helped build a state-of-the-art hospital for cancer research and patient care. When the Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953, owner Lou Perini made sure the new Red Sox owner, Thomas Yawkey, would continue the Braves' work with the Jimmy Fund, as the charity had been named. On April 10, 1953, Yawkey announced that the Red Sox would adopt the Jimmy Fund as its official charity.
Today, the Jimmy Fund continues to be an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, and the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon continues the appeal to the public on radio and television to contribute to cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Jimmy Fund
Founded in 1948, the Jimmy Fund has been an official charity of the Boston Red Sox since 1953. It supports the fight against cancer at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which is a leading cancer research and care center for adults and children. Unrestricted support from the Jimmy Fund is an integral part of Mission Possible: The Dana-Farber Campaign to Conquer Cancer, a $1 billion capital campaign to accelerate cancer research, speed development of life-saving therapies, and expand the Institute's signature patient- and family-centered care.
Entercom
Entercom is one of the nation's largest radio broadcasters with operations, pro forma for pending acquisitions, in San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Denver, Sacramento, Cincinnati, Portland, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Austin, Norfolk, Buffalo, New Orleans, Providence, Memphis, Greensboro, Rochester, Greenville/Spartanburg, Madison, Wichita, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Springfield and Gainesville/Ocala.
NESN
NESN is owned by the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins and delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and nationally via DirecTV and Dish Network. The definitive source for New England sports programming, NESN is the top rated regional sports network in the country delivering award winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage, a popular sports news and highlights program NESN SportsDesk and a unique sports debate and discussion show The Globe 10.0. NESN is also the first regional sports network in the country to originate every game and studio show in high definition.
Contact
Elizabeth Chernack
(617) 632-4687
Marci Tyldesley, Regan Communications for WEEI
(508) 420-5566 x 109
Gary Roy, NESN
(617) 536-9233
