8th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon set for August 27th & 28th

Two day broadcast from Fenway Park to help strike out cancer

August 27, 2009

WEEI and NESN are proud to announce that the eighth annual Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon will take place at Fenway Park over two days beginning Thursday, August 27th. The 36-hour broadcast will feature compelling stories and celebrity guests, as well as emotional ceremonies prior to both Red Sox games during the two day period. Last year's event set a record by raising $4.8 million, with gifts coming in from every state in the country, bringing the total raised over seven years to just under $17 million. The radio-telethon is the Jimmy Fund's fastest-growing event. 

The two-day lineup is packed with interviews with Dana-Farber patients, doctors, researchers and nurses. The event also attracts an array of national celebrities. Comedians/actors Dane Cook, Lenny Clarke, Jimmy Kimmel and Denis Leary are among those already confirmed to participate this year, as well as singers Kelly Clarkson, David Cassidy, and Aaron Neville. The WEEI portion of the Radio-Telethon is sponsored by BNY Mellon Wealth Management. NESN's portion of the Radio-Telethon is sponsored in part by Arbella Insurance, Dunkin Donuts and Olympia Sports.

"There is nothing more important to us than these two days. The Radio-Telethon is filled with heart-warming and sometimes heart breaking stories from patients and doctors at Dana-Farber," says Jason Wolfe, VP of AM Programming for Entercom New England. We continue to generate support across New England and the entire country. Each year we make great progress in the fight against cancer, and it is due to the incredible generosity of the listening public."

As part of the Radio-Telethon there will be special ceremonies at both Red Sox games. Leary and Clarke will throw out the first pitch at Thursday's game, while Cook will throw it on Friday. Kelly Clarkson will perform during the 7th inning of the game on Friday evening.

"NESN is proud to support the great work that is done every day at the Jimmy Fund," said Sean McGrail, NESN President. "In these tough economic times NESN's commitment to the success of this event is stronger than ever as we will once again extend our coverage to two full days to help support the life saving work of this incredible group of people."

The goal of the 2009 WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon is to raise $5 million, which will bring the event's total to more than $22 million. The Red Sox are planning special messages during both games as various milestones are hit.

"We are so thankful for the WEEI and NESN listeners and viewers who have given generously to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund over the past years," said Jimmy Fund Chairman Mike Andrews. "We have been able to make so many important advances in cancer care and research, but as you'll hear during the Radio-Telethon, we still have not achieved our ultimate goal of striking out cancer."

"The Jimmy Fund has made a tremendous impact on our community and in the lives of many of our clients and employees. BNY Mellon Wealth Management is honored to continue our support by sponsoring WEEI's annual Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon," said Vicary Graham, regional president for BNY Mellon Wealth Management in New England.

To help strike out cancer during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, call (877) 738-1234 toll free. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to contribute online, go to www.jimmyfundradiotelethon.org.

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.