I can’t believe this will be the 10th edition of the Jimmy Fund Telethon that airs on both WEEI and NESN. This is a simulcast that airs from Fenway Park and raises money for the Jimmy Fund, which is official charity of the Boston Red Sox. Money raised goes to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston which is one of the leading cancer research centers in the world.
Over the years, the telethon has raised close to $26 million to aid cancer research. In the past, the late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner called in and pledged to donate money. In fact, he did it a couple of years in a row. He would be watching on DirecTV from Tampa and call in to pledge his support which was appreciated.
This year’s Telethon will be held on August 30 and 31. Here are the particulars.
10th Annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon set for August 30th – 31st
Two day broadcast from Fenway Park to help strike out cancer
BOSTON (June 6, 2011) – WEEI and NESN are proud to announce that the 10th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon will take place at Fenway Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 30th and 31st from 6am to midnight. The emotional two day event has become one of the biggest fundraisers of the Jimmy Fund’s year. In 2010, more than $3.1 million dollars were raised, bringing the nine year total to nearly $26 million dollars.
Donations are already well underway thanks to the 4th Annual “Tame the Tigers” golf tournament, held this past month on May 19th at The International in Bolton, MA. The event was the most successful to date, raising over $100,000 and was a sell-out for the second straight year.
This year’s Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon will focus on the progress that has been made in cancer research over the past decade. The 36-hour broadcast will once again feature truly compelling stories from Jimmy Fund patients and doctors, as well as celebrity guests from the sports and entertainment worlds.
Julie Kahn, VP and Market Manager for Entercom Boston said, “For the past ten years, WEEI and NESN have been allies when it comes to the fight against cancer. The generosity of WEEI’s listeners and NESN’s viewers is overwhelming and we are grateful to them year after year.”
“Our entire company is committed to this event and all of our employees are actively engaged in this two day telethon,” said Sean McGrail, NESN’s President and CEO. “This collective commitment meaningfully touches all of us and hopefully makes a real difference to the people who are fighting this challenging disease.”
“It is incredible to think that this is the 10th year for the radio-telethon. The progress that has been made in cancer research and care since we started is staggering,” said Jason Wolfe, VP of Programming for WEEI. Wolfe continued, “Patients are living longer, healthier lives, and in many cases, cancer free. These are the two best days of our year and I’m looking forward to another super event.”
To help strike out cancer during the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, call 877-738-1234 toll free. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to contribute online, go to www.jimmyfundradiotelethon.org.
That’s it.
