Boston Red Sox players Will Middlebrooks and Jarrod Saltalamacchia named Jimmy Fund Rally Against Cancer spokesplayers

BOSTON—Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund announce that Boston Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks and Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia will serve as this year’s spokesplayers for the Jimmy Fund’s 8^th Annual Rally Against Cancer^SM. Middlebrooks and Saltalamacchia are also Jimmy Fund Co-Captains for the 2013 season; Rally Against Cancer will be their first assignment.

This is each player’s first year participating in Rally Against Cancer. Middlebrooks and Saltalamacchia join the ranks of past Rally Against Cancer spokesplayers, including Daniel Bard, Tim Wakefield, Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and Trot Nixon.

Now in its eighth year, Rally Against Cancer invites Red Sox fans to partner with their companies and schools, and encourage co-workers, classmates, and friends, to contribute $5 or more to the Jimmy Fund. In exchange, they “Dress for Sox-cess” by wearing Boston Red Sox gear to work or school on Monday, April 8, when the Sox take on the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park for their home opener. The top fundraising company and school (K-12, college or university) are each eligible for a visit from Middlebrooks or Saltalamacchia, if located within two-hour travel distance from Boston.

As Jimmy Fund Co-Captains, the two players will be ambassadors for the Jimmy Fund, raising awareness and building support for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. They will also lend their support to Jimmy Fund events, visit adult and pediatric clinics, thank donors, and more.

In seven years, Rally Against Cancer has raised more than $3 million to support the fight against cancer at Dana-Farber. This year, the program hopes to raise $550,000. For more information about Rally, please visit www.RallyAgainstCancer.org.

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.  This year celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Jimmy Fund and Boston Red Sox relationship, and represents one of the most remarkable partnerships between a team and a charity in the history of professional sports. The Jimmy Fund is also the official charity of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Massachusetts 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.

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