David Cassidy on the Web
Jimmy Fund fundraiser Radio-Telethon another big hit in fight vs. Cancer
September 3, 2009
Town Times Newspaper Online
Watertown and Oakville, Connecticut
www.zwire.com
BOSTON - The 8th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon attracted people from all 50 states and around the world to support the fight against cancer on August 27 and 28.
As of midnight on August 28 - the end of the televised program - more than $4.55 million was raised for adult and pediatric cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
"The Radio-Telethon reminds listeners that cancer touches everyone. Each dollar we raise plays a vital role in cancer research and care," said Jimmy Fund Chairman and 1967 Red Sox second baseman Mike Andrews. "With WEEI and NESN and all of its listeners and viewers on our team, together we are working towards conquering cancer for good."
The two-day, 36-hour Radio-Telethon broadcast on WEEI 850-AM Sports Radio and New England Sports Network (NESN) live from Fenway Park featured compelling patient stories, expert information from Dana-Farber researchers and doctors, celebrity guests, and emotional ceremonies.
The Radio-Telethon has earned a reputation for being a signature event in which celebrities are eager to participate. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig contributed $40,000 on behalf of MLB, and Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs gave $25,000. The Bruins also donated an auction item, which raised an additional $10,000. Comedian Mike O'Malley gave $10,000 and Red Sox manager Terry Francona and pitcher Tim Wakefield each made donations as well.
Other celebrity supporters and callers included Dane Cook, Kelly Clarkson, Lenny Clarke, David Cassidy, Aaron Neville, Jim Belushi, Donald Trump, Ben Affleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Curt Schilling, and Joe Andruzzi.
As one way to pay tribute to the organization, the Red Sox created emotional pre-game ceremonies, which also helped encourage Red Sox fans to support the annual Radio-Telethon.
The Red Sox took on the White Sox on Thursday night, and the pre-game ceremony featured a screening of the new Jimmy Fund movie trailer, Stronger than Ever, which chronicles the journey of Dan Pardi's return to Dana-Farber, this time as a pediatric cancer survivor, and the ongoing bond between the Jimmy Fund patients and the iron workers now working on the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care, Dana-Farber's newest clinical care building.
The on-field ceremony recognized the Pardi family, as well as two Yawkey Center ironworkers; Cassidy sang the national anthem. "God Bless America" was performed by 17-year old Dana-Farber patient Kelley Bernard, who was treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Friday's game was against the Toronto Blue Jays and the pre-ceremony celebrity the Dana-Farber All-Starts, a team of pediatric and adults, who were no longer in treatment. They were announced and then took the field. Dane Cook threw out the first pitch and Aaron Neville sang the National Anthem. Kelly Clarkson sang, "God Bless America" during the 7th inning.
"Once again, this incredible event captured the hearts of the community," said Jason Wolfe, VP of AM Programming for Entercom New England. "The tremendous generosity of WEEI's listeners and NESN's viewers continues to amaze me. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished today in the face of a very difficult economy. It says a great deal about how special the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber truly are."
"The WEEI/NESN Radio-Telethon has become a tradition for our staff and our network. We are committed to help increase funding in hopes of finding a cure for cancer," 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, go to www.jimmyfundradiotelethon.org.
