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2016 WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon presented by Arbella Insurance Foundation raises more than $3.6 million in 36-hours
More than $43 million raised in 15 years for adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOSTON (October 3, 2016) – WEEI Sports Radio Network (93.7 FM), NESN, the Boston Red Sox, and the Jimmy Fund are proud to announce that the 15th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon presented by Arbella Insurance Foundation raised more than $3.6 million for adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The moving two-day event featuring personal stories from Dana-Farber patients, doctors, care providers and researchers, has raised more than $43 million since its inception in 2002. The event served as the highlight of “Jimmy Fund Month at Fenway Park," which is held each August in support and recognition of the Jimmy Fund’s mission.
The event was broadcast live from Fenway Park on Monday, August 29, and Tuesday, August 30, from 6 a.m. to midnight. This year’s WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon featured inspirational, emotional interviews with Dana-Farber patients about their experience with cancer, and insight from the doctors and nurses who have treated them. The event included special appearances from several Red Sox players including David Ortiz, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Mookie Betts, along with 2016 Jimmy Fund Co-Captain Brock Holt.
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A group of Red Sox players’ wives also volunteered at the event by answering phones to accept contributions on the evening of August 29. Jimmy Fund chairman Larry Lucchino, who is a former Dana-Farber patient, spoke about his treatment and the important relationship between the Red Sox and the Jimmy Fund.
Throughout the event, celebrities appeared on-air or phoned-in to lend their support, including Patriots players Tom Brady and Nate Solder, actress Eliza Dushku, former Bruins star Shawn Thornton and current players Jimmy Hayes and Torey Krug, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens with Bruins head coach Claude Julien and Red Sox manager John Farrell, and Major League Baseball chief baseball officer Joe Torre, among others.
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Supporting the event with large gifts included:
· The Red Sox Partners Challenge ($216,000)
· The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, FindMassMoney.com ($201,000)
· Arbella Insurance Foundation ($100,000)
· Applebee’s ($90,000)
· Bob’s Discount Furniture ($50,000)
· Boston Granite Exchange ($25,000)
· Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation ($25,000)
· Boston Bruins Foundation ($25,000)
· The Kraft Family ($25,000)
· The Shawn Thornton Foundation ($25,000)
· David Ortiz ($25,000)
· The Give-A-Buck Fund ($25,000)
· DCU ($25,000)
· Terry Brennan’s Drive for the Jimmy Fund ($25,000)
· IRA Toyota ($25,000)
“Each August, we are reminded that the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon is a joint effort pridefully supported by generations of New Englanders,” said Phil Zachary, VP/Market Manager Entercom New England. “WEEI listeners once again proved there’s no challenge that can’t be conquered when our fans rally ‘round a cause that matters.”
“The outpouring of support during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon has again been extraordinary,” said Sean McGrail, NESN’s President & CEO. “The touching stories shared by the staff and patients continue to inspire us all. We are grateful for the donations from Red Sox fans across the nation, which are essential to Dana-Farber’s efforts to cure cancer.”
Dana-Farber pediatric and adult patients attended both games and took part in special on-field activities from the national anthem to singing God Bless America, throwing the ceremonial first pitch, serving as honorary bat girls and boys, and announcing batters.
“We are pleased and proud that Red Sox Nation, near and far, helped us raise more than $3.6 million for the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber during the 15th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon,” said Jimmy Fund chairman Larry Lucchino. “We are enormously grateful for your continued support to help find cures for cancers to ultimately conquer this horrible disease.”
For more information please visit www.jimmyfundradiotelethon.org.
About Entercom Communications (WEEI)
Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE: ETM), is the fourth-largest radio broadcasting company in the United States, with a portfolio of 125 highly-rated radio stations in 27 top markets across the country. Known for developing unique and highly successful locally programmed stations, Entercom’s brands reach and engage close to 40 million people each week, delivering a curated mix of outstanding local personalities and a broad range of compelling music, news, talk and sports content.
Founded in 1968, Philadelphia-based Entercom also operates hundreds of events each year attracting millions of attendees, and provides customers with a broad range of digital marketing solutions through its SmartReach Digital products.
More information is available at www.Entercom.com, Facebook, and Twitter (@entercom).
About NESN
NESN has consistently been one of the top-rated regional sports networks in the country with award-winning Red Sox and Bruins coverage. The network is delivered to over 4 million homes throughout the six-state New England region and an additional 5 million homes nationally as NESN National. Forbes Magazine recently ranked NESN as the 9th Most Valuable Sports Business Brand in the World. NESN.com is one of the Top 15 sports web sites in the U.S. and recently launched NESN Fuel, an automotive enthusiast, car buyers, and racing fan website. NESN’s social responsibility program, NESN Connects, is proud to support and connect its employees with charitable organizations in our communities. NESN is owned by Fenway Sports Group (owners of the Boston Red Sox) and Delaware North (owners of the Boston Bruins).
About the Jimmy Fund
The Jimmy Fund (www.JimmyFund.org) solely supports Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. It is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, as well as the official charity of 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 the Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow the Jimmy Fund on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thejimmyfund and on Twitter: @TheJimmyFund.