Two-Day WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon breaks records by raising more than $5.7 million

WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon presented by Arbella Insurance raised a record-breaking $5.7 million, and counting, for adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The inspirational two-day event, which has united the community since 2002, has now raised $80 million to strike out cancer.

Featuring stories of resilience and hope from patients, doctors, community leaders, and special guests, the Radio-Telethon continues to be a beacon of support for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. This year’s event made history, surpassing $5 million for the first time from more than 11,000 gifts. More than 60% of donations were under $100, showcasing the collective power of grassroots generosity. A transformative $1 million match from longtime Dana-Farber supporters and philanthropists Rob and Karen Hale further inspired donors to make a difference.

The fundraiser was broadcast live from Fenway Park on Monday, August 18, and Tuesday, August 19, from 6 a.m. through midnight. The event included special appearances from Jimmy Fund Co-Chairs Tom Caron and Brock Holt; Jimmy Fund Captain and Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock; Red Sox players Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, Liam Hendriks, Rob Refsnyder, Alex Bregman, Trevor Story and Garrett Crochet; former Red Sox players Derek Lowe, Mike Timlin, Jonathan Papelbon, and Trot Nixon with his wife Kathryn; Brianna Wakefield, daughter of the late Tim and Stacy Wakefield; David Lucchino, nephew of the late Larry Lucchino; Red Sox executives Craig Breslow and Tom Werner, former Good Morning America Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Jennifer Ashton; Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla; Boston Bruins Head Coach Marco Sturm; Boston Bruins CEO and Alternate Governor Charlie Jacobs; Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman; former Boston Bruins Tuukka Rask, Shawn Thornton and Andrew Ferrence; PWHL Fleet top draft pick Haley Winn; and Michael Bivins of New Edition and Bell, Biv, Devoe, among other celebrity friends.

Dana-Farber pediatric and adult patients attended games on both nights and took part in special on-field ceremonies, including singing the National Anthem, throwing out the first pitch, and serving as honorary team members in the Anthem All-Stars lineup. Monday night’s ceremony also included the presentation of the Boston Red Sox Jimmy Fund Award, the Jimmy Fund's highest honor, given annually to recognize individuals or organizations that have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to Dana-Farber's lifesaving mission. The 2025 honoree was Expect Miracles Foundation, for their generous support throughout the years.

Expect Miracles Foundation donates more than $1 million to the Jimmy Fund annually, supporting the Robert and Renée Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science. The foundation has given a cumulative total of more than $15 million to Dana-Farber in its quest to generate hope and improve outcomes for cancer patients through the financial services industry.

Some of the largest gifts to this year’s WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon include:

• Rob and Karen Hale ($1,000,000)
• Find Mass Money ($479,050)
• Anonymous ($424,222)
• Red Sox Partners Challenge ($404,179)
• BJ’s Charitable Foundation ($250,000)
• Arbella Insurance Foundation ($100,000)
• Anonymous Boston WW2 Veteran ($100,000)
• Bob and Christine Eddy ($100,000)
• Applebee's ($58,869)
• Ernie Boch Jr. ($50,000)
• NESN Employee Fundraising & Company Match ($40,000)
• Terry Brennan's Drive for the Jimmy Fund ($26,125)
• Boston Bruins Foundation ($25,000)
• The Brunswick in Old Orchard Beach ($25,000)
• Katsaros Family Foundation ($25,000)
• Lucchino Family Foundation ($25,000)
• Ultimate Fighting Championship ($25,000)
• Jim and Kathy Yoshizawa ($25,000)
• Keches Law Group ($25,000)
• Shawn Thornton Foundation ($25,000)
• Dan and Kerry Lyons ($25,000)

“We’re thrilled to have raised a record-breaking $5.7 million to support adults and children with cancer,” said Jimmy Fund Co-Chairs Brock Holt and Tom Caron. “Together, we have made history, making a significant impact in the fight against cancer, and with continued support, we can lessen the burden of cancer for families. We are humbled and grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support from Red Sox Nation during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon presented by Arbella Insurance.”

A special check presentation will take place on the field at Fenway before the Red Sox game on September 12.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.JimmyFundRadioTelethon.org.

About the Jimmy Fund
The Jimmy Fund, established in Boston in 1948, is comprised of community-based fundraising events and other programs that, solely and directly, benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults. The Jimmy Fund is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children's Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped Dana-Farber save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow the Jimmy Fund on Facebook, X, and Instagram: @TheJimmyFund.

About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of the world’s leading centers of cancer research and treatment. Dana-Farber’s mission is to reduce the burden of cancer through scientific inquiry, clinical care, education, community engagement, and advocacy. Dana-Farber is a federally designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Dana-Farber provides the latest treatments in cancer for adults through Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center and for children through Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Dana-Farber is the only hospital nationwide with a top 5 U.S. News & World Report Best Cancer Hospital ranking in both adult and pediatric care.

As a global leader in oncology, Dana-Farber is dedicated to a unique and equal balance between cancer research and care, translating the results of discovery into new treatments for patients locally and around the world, offering more than 1,100 clinical trials.

About Audacy
Audacy is a leading audio content and entertainment company. As champions of audio, we connect with people in the moments that matter — delivering trusted local news, passionate sports and your favorite music across 220+ radio stations, premium podcasts, live events and digital experiences that reach more than 200 million listeners every month. We create compelling content, foster deeply engaged audiences and deliver outcomes that matter for advertisers. Learn more at www.audacyinc.com and join the conversation on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

About NESN
NESN is consistently one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. NESN and NESN+ are delivered throughout the six-state New England region and are available anytime, anywhere, on any device on the NESN 360 app via direct subscription or TV authentication. The network is also distributed nationally as NESN National. NESN.com is one of the country’s most visited sports websites with dedicated digital video productions and always-on news coverage. NESN’s social responsibility program, NESN Connects is proud to support and connect its employees with charitable organizations in the Greater Boston community. NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins). Follow @NESN on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date on the latest New England sports news.

About the Arbella Insurance Group
Established in 1988, the Arbella Insurance Group (www.arbella.com) has an AM Best Financial strength rating of A “excellent” and more than $1 billion in revenue and over $2 billion in assets. Headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, Arbella is a customer-focused, regional property and casualty insurance company, providing commercial insurance products in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, and personal insurance products in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Recognized as one of the Boston Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” for 17 consecutive years, Arbella is deeply committed to maintaining high levels of employee satisfaction and supporting a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Arbella attributes its success to their dedicated employees, strong agent partnerships and community focus.

About the Arbella Insurance Foundation
The Arbella Insurance Group founded the Arbella Insurance Foundation in 2005. Recognized as one of the Boston Business Journal’s “Top Charitable Contributors” for 16 consecutive years, the mission of Arbella’s Foundation is to engage in activities and to support not-for-profit organizations that have a significant positive impact on the people and communities served by Arbella.