Heeding the call: WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon hits it big
Dana-Farber President and CEO Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, speaks during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon
The lure of the Boston Red Sox compelled fans to knock another one out of the park during the eighth annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. Thousands tuned in to WEEI Sports Radio Network (850-AM) and New England Sports Network (NESN) for 36 hours Aug. 27 and 28, during which the Red Sox took on the Chicago White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays, respectively. Fans were moved to give by interviews with cancer patients and survivors, physicians and researchers, and athletes and celebrities, all of whom came together to raise more than $4.5 million.
"The economy, its impact on fundraising, and the reduction in federal support have all presented us with an incredible challenge," explained Dana-Farber President and CEO Edward J. Benz Jr., MD. "But walking through the clinics reminds us every day of why we're here and what's special about the work we do."
The event began Thursday morning on-air with Lisa Scherber, activities coordinator at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, talking about the power callers' gifts can have in helping Dana-Farber patients. Also joining the broadcast were former New Kids on the Block members Joey McIntyre and Donnie Wahlberg, comedian Mike O'Malley, and actor Ben Affleck. At the end of day one, $1.175 million was raised from all 50 states and around the world.
Friday's highlights included an interview with Ben Finer, a 13-year-old diagnosed with lymphoma. Those tuning in were moved to tears by Finer's maturity and his stance on what potentially losing his life would mean to his family. During the game that night, actor-comedian Dane Cook threw out the first pitch, Aaron Neville performed the national anthem, and former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson sang during the seventh inning stretch.
Many Red Sox team members, including Red Sox Manager Terry Francona and team members Jason Bay, Jon Lester, Mike Lowell, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, Tim Wakefield, and former Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, also participated during the course of the event. The efforts of these celebrities, in addition to those of patients, families, and staff, made a big impact by the end of the event: more than 30,000 gifts were made via phone, online, and text messaging.
"We are so thankful to the Red Sox, WEEI, NESN, and their listeners and viewers who have given so generously to Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund over the years," said Jimmy Fund Chairman and former Sox second baseman Mike Andrews.
Reaching a new audience
This year's event also included an initiative to reach out to a major part of the Red Sox' fan base — New England's Latino community. A separate hotline allowed Spanish-speaking callers to contribute in their native language, and Spanish Beisbol Network (1150-AM) and Telemundo broadcast some of the interviews in Spanish.
"As a survivor treated at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, I know firsthand the importance of supporting advances in care and research," said Uri Berenguer-Ramos, the Spanish voice of the Red Sox on 1150-AM. "These stories let everyone in the Latino community know that Dana-Farber is here for them and their families. The Radio-Telethon provides them an opportunity to show their support for DFCI."
