Spring 2023
By Michael Quinn
Photography by John Deputy
Since 1953, the Boston Red Sox have had a deep and multifaceted impact on patients with cancer through the team’s strong partnership with Dana-Farber the team’s the Jimmy Fund. A shining example of this is the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon presented by Arbella Insurance, the yearly fundraiser through which the Red Sox have pitched in to strike out this disease since 2002.
Taking place on August 23 and 24, 2022 at Fenway Park, the 20th annual Radio-Telethon generated over $3.5 million for adult and pediatric cancer research and care at Dana-Farber, bringing the program’s cumulative total to $65 million since 2002. This strong team effort was propelled by gifts from the Red Sox Partners Challenge, NESN employee fundraising and company match, and generous contributions from Rob Hale, Ernie Boch Jr., Rockport Mortgage, and the Arbella Insurance Foundation. Once again, WEEI and NESN executed an outstanding 36-hour broadcast that featured stories from Dana-Farber doctors, patients, and families, bolstered by special appearances by Red Sox executives, players, coaches, and alumni, as well as sports heroes and leaders from the Patriots, Bruins, and Celtics, plus other special guests.
As always, the Radio-Telethon abounded with memorable moments that moved the hearts of listeners and viewers alike. Especially inspiring were segments featuring patients, who shared hopeful stories and shined in on-field ceremonies to commemorate the milestone anniversary. Several patients from past Radio-Telethons returned this year, including Tori Rando and Tanya Searle, who first became close friends as teen patients in Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic; Vinny Basile, who was also treated at the clinic as a teen and celebrated his 39th birthday at the 2022 broadcast; clinic patient Ben Finer, who graduated college in 2020 and now works in tech support; and OK Eason, who is still cycling and going strong thanks to an experimental treatment at Dana-Farber that keeps his glioblastoma at bay. All embody the powerful possibilities unlocked by advances enabled through funding from the Radio-Telethon.
Radio-Telethon’s success is due in part to the continued commitment of presenting sponsor, Arbella Insurance. John Donohue, chairman, president, and CEO of the Arbella Insurance Group and chairman of the Arbella Insurance Foundation, underscored the Radio-Telethon’s importance to Arbella and the communities it serves: “The Radio-Telethon shows how many people are touched by cancer and reminds us about the great work being done by the doctors, nurses, and staff at Dana-Farber. Arbella is extremely proud to support Dana-Farber in its work to treat and help prevent this devastating disease.”
From left: Tori Rando, Vinny Basile, and Tanya Searle; OK Eason (left) with his neuro-oncologist, David Reardon, MD.; Ben Finer.