The Jimmy Fund

The Jimmy Fund, established in Boston in 1948, is made up of community-based fundraising events and other programs that benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Since 1948, millions of people have given money to the Jimmy Fund to help save lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide.[2]

The Jimmy Fund
Named afterEinar "Jimmy" Gustafson
Formation1948 (1948)
04-2263040[1]
PurposeCancer research and patient care
HeadquartersBrookline, Massachusetts[1]
Chairman
Larry Lucchino
AffiliationsDana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Red Sox
Websitejimmyfund.org

The Jimmy Fund holds fundraising events including Jimmy Fund Golf, the nation's oldest and largest charity golf program,[3] and the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk.[4] The Jimmy Fund is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox,[5] the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association,[6] the Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children's Charity of New England.[7][8]

History

In 1947, Sidney Farber founded the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. The following year he launched the Jimmy Fund to raise money to support the hospital.[9][10] The fund was named after a patient who was named "Jimmy" to protect his identity – his real name was Einar Gustafson and his identity was revealed in 1998.[9][10]

On May 22, 1948, "Jimmy" inspired a movement on Truth or Consequences, a national radio program hosted by Ralph Edwards.[10][11] During the program, "Jimmy" was visited in the hospital by star players from the Boston Braves; the visit was arranged by future New England Patriots owner Billy Sullivan.[10][11][12] Listeners were moved to act when asked to send in money to buy Jimmy a TV so that he could watch the Boston Braves.[11][13] More than $200,000 was raised for the Jimmy Fund that year.[10]

Beginning in 1949, some movie theaters began showing a Jimmy Fund trailer before movies and asked audience members to contribute to the fund.[14]

The Jimmy Fund’s baseball origins later evolved into a longstanding partnership with the Boston Red Sox after the Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953.[15][16]

In 1980, the Pan-Mass Challenge, a charity bicycle race, was founded to benefit the Jimmy Fund.[17] In 1983, the Jimmy Fund began holding the Scooper Bowl, an ice cream festival, in Boston.[18] Also in 1983, the fund began organizing golf tournaments to raise money.[19] In 1989, the fund began organizing the Jimmy Fund Walk, which runs in conjunction with the Boston Marathon.[20]

In 2002, the first WEEI Jimmy Fund Radiothon was held.[21] In 2003, NESN joined the event and simulcasted it around New England.[22]

In 2013, the Jimmy Fund held its first Big Ideas Contest asking the public to submit new fundraising ideas for the fund.[23][24]

References
  1. "Contact Us". jimmyfund.org. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  2. "Saugus residents to participate in Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk". Saugus Advertiser. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  3. "Western Mass. Jeffrey Vinick Memorial Jimmy Fund golf tournament helps contribute to record-breaking $7.68 million raised for 35th season (photos)". masslive. November 15, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  4. Serrano, Alejandro (September 24, 2018). "Walkers participate in 30th annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  5. "Jimmy Fund cancels trip to Red Sox spring training over coronavirus concerns". WCVB. March 5, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  6. Rattigan, David (September 10, 2009). "For police chiefs, this year's walk against cancer is personal". Boston.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  7. "Help 'Strike Out Cancer' with the Jimmy Fund". Newspapers.com. July 29, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  8. "He's alive and well". Newspapers.com. May 17, 1998. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  9. "Einar Gustafson, Jimmy Fund inspiration". Newspapers.com. January 23, 2001. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  10. "He's alive and well". Newspapers.com. May 17, 1998. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  11. "Jimmy Fund gets 50th anniversary gift: 'Jimmy'". Newspapers.com. May 17, 1998. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  12. "A mystery story with a happy ending". Newspapers.com. May 17, 1998. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  13. "Einar Gustafson '40s cancer survivor, famous as Jimmy". Newspapers.com. January 25, 2001. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  14. "Dedham movie theater to raise money for the Jimmy Fund". Wicked Local. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  15. Boston Braves team ownership history, SABR (Society for American Baseball Research), Bob LeMoine.
  16. "Red Sox Replace Braves". Newspapers.com. April 10, 1953. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  17. "Pan-Mass Challenge raises $39M for Jimmy Fund". AP NEWS. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  18. "Annual Scooper Bowl benefiting Jimmy Fund returns to Boston's City Hall Plaza". Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  19. Aicardi, Robert. "Frazier receives Jimmy Fund Extra Mile Award". Wicked Local. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  20. "Thousands Turn Out for Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk". NBC Boston. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  21. "'67 Sox backdrop for fund-raiser". Newspapers.com. August 23, 2002. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  22. "$1 million is all in a day's work for WEEI". Newspapers.com. August 23, 2003. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  23. "Share your BIG ideas with the Jimmy Fund". WCVB. March 4, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  24. Edes, Alyssa. "Jimmy Fund hopes Big Ideas game will have a big payoff - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
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