2008 Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon Raises Nearly $5 Million For Cancer Research

The 7th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon reached new heights with people from all 50 states and around the world calling in on August 14 and 15 to support the fight against cancer. The final tally was a record $4,839,016 raised for pediatric and adult cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

"The Radio-Telethon is an annual reminder that cancer touches just about everyone," says Jimmy Fund Chairman and 1967 Red Sox second baseman Mike Andrews. "We are so thankful for all of the contributions. With the help of WEEI and NESN and all of its viewers and listeners, the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber are working towards conquering cancer for good."

The two-day, 36-hour Radio-Telethon that is broadcast on WEEI 850-AM Sports Radio and New England Sports Network (NESN) has earned a reputation for being a signature event in which celebrities are eager to participate. Both Donald Trump and Curt Schilling called in with a gift of $50,000. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig contributed $40,000 on behalf of MLB and Red Sox manager Terry Francona stopped by in person with a check for $5,000.

Other celebrity supporters and callers included Ben Affleck, John Krasinski, Tony Danza, Kevin Nealon, Steven Wright, Keith Lockhart, John O'Hurley, John Ratzenberger, Dane Cook, Stephen King, James Denton, and George Stephanopoulos.

Additionally, an authentic 2007 Red Sox World Series ring went for $90,961 to an anonymous donor in a special auction to support the Jimmy Fund, an official charity of the Boston Red Sox since 1953.

"NESN is proud to support the great work that is done every day at the Jimmy Fund," said Sean McGrail, NESN President. "No other event on our broadcast calendar is as important, or has as much of an impact on as many people as this event."

For more information, visit www.jimmyfundradiotelethon.org.

The Jimmy Fund and Radio-Telethon History
The Jimmy Fund is celebrating 60 years in 2008. Back in 1948, members of the Boston Braves visited the hospital bedside of a 12-year-old boy with cancer, dubbed "Jimmy" to protect his identity. The visit was broadcast nationally on radio and people gave generously to help children like him battling the disease. That broadcast, along with player appearances and radio appeals during Braves games, helped build a state-of-the-art hospital for cancer research and patient care.

When the Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953 their owner, Lou Perini, made sure that Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey would continue the Braves' work with the Jimmy Fund, as the charity had been named. On April 10, 1953, Yawkey announced that the Red Sox would adopt the Jimmy Fund as its official charity.

Today, the Jimmy Fund continues to be an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, and the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon continues the appeal to the public on radio and television to contribute to cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.