The Jimmy Fund
 | |
| Named after | Einar "Jimmy" Gustafson |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1948 |
| 04-2263040[1] | |
| Purpose | Cancer research and patient care |
| Headquarters | Brookline, Massachusetts[1] |
Chairman | Tom Caron,Brock Holt |
| Affiliations | Dana–Farber Cancer Institute,Boston Red Sox |
| Website | jimmyfund |
The Jimmy Fund,established inBostonin 1948, is made up of community-based fundraising events and other programs that benefitDana-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 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 theBoston Red Sox,[5]the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association,[6]thePan-Mass Challenge,and theVariety Children's Charity of New England.[7][8]
History
[edit]In 1947,Sidney Farberfounded theDana-Farber Cancer InstituteinBoston.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 wasEinar Gustafsonand his identity was revealed in 1998.[9][10]
On May 22, 1948, "Jimmy" inspired a movement onTruth or Consequences,a national radio program hosted byRalph Edwards.[10][11]During the program, "Jimmy" was visited in the hospital by star players from theBoston Braves;the visit was arranged by futureNew England PatriotsownerBilly 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 theBoston 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 theBoston Red Soxafter the Bravesmoved to Milwaukeein 1953.[15][16]
In 1980, thePan-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 theBoston Marathon.[20]
In 2002, the firstWEEIJimmy Fund Radiothon was held.[21]In 2003,NESNjoined 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
[edit]- ^ab"Contact Us".jimmyfund.org.RetrievedJune 18,2019.
- ^"Saugus residents to participate in Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk".Saugus Advertiser.RetrievedApril 20,2021.
- ^"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.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^Serrano, Alejandro (September 24, 2018)."Walkers participate in 30th annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk - The Boston Globe".BostonGlobe.com.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"Jimmy Fund cancels trip to Red Sox spring training over coronavirus concerns".WCVB.March 5, 2020.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^Rattigan, David (September 10, 2009)."For police chiefs, this year's walk against cancer is personal".Boston.com.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"Help 'Strike Out Cancer' with the Jimmy Fund".Newspapers.com.July 29, 2015.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"He's alive and well".Newspapers.com.May 17, 1998.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^ab"Einar Gustafson, Jimmy Fund inspiration".Newspapers.com.January 23, 2001.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^abcde"He's alive and well".Newspapers.com.May 17, 1998.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^abc"Jimmy Fund gets 50th anniversary gift: 'Jimmy'".Newspapers.com.May 17, 1998.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"A mystery story with a happy ending".Newspapers.com.May 17, 1998.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"Einar Gustafson '40s cancer survivor, famous as Jimmy".Newspapers.com.January 25, 2001.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"Dedham movie theater to raise money for the Jimmy Fund".Wicked Local.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^Boston Braves team ownership history,SABR (Society for American Baseball Research), Bob LeMoine.
- ^"Red Sox Replace Braves".Newspapers.com.April 10, 1953.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"Pan-Mass Challenge raises $39M for Jimmy Fund".AP NEWS.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"Annual Scooper Bowl benefiting Jimmy Fund returns to Boston's City Hall Plaza".RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^Aicardi, Robert."Frazier receives Jimmy Fund Extra Mile Award".Wicked Local.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"Thousands Turn Out for Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk".NBC Boston.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"'67 Sox backdrop for fund-raiser ".Newspapers.com.August 23, 2002.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"$1 million is all in a day's work for WEEI".Newspapers.com.August 23, 2003.RetrievedApril 19,2021.
- ^"Share your BIG ideas with the Jimmy Fund".WCVB.March 4, 2013.RetrievedApril 20,2021.
- ^Edes, Alyssa."Jimmy Fund hopes Big Ideas game will have a big payoff - The Boston Globe".BostonGlobe.com.RetrievedApril 20,2021.
