Who was Einar Gustafson?

Einar Gustafson (August 18, 1935 – January 21, 2021) gained fame as a 12-year-old cancer patient when he became nationally known as "Jimmy". The name started a fund-raising program in 1948 known as The Jimmy Fund for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Did Jimmy from the Jimmy Fund survive?

Sadly, Gustafson died of a stroke at age 65 on Jan. 21, 2001. But his memory continues to provide hope to adults and children with cancer, and inspiration to thousands of Jimmy Fund supporters.

Who was the original Jimmy of the Jimmy Fund?

Jimmy's story began in 1948 when Dr. Sidney Farber's 12-year-old lymphoma patient, Einar Gustafson — the original "Jimmy" — was an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of people.

Why is it called the Jimmy Fund?

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. On May 22, 1948, "Jimmy" inspired a movement on Truth or Consequences, a national radio program hosted by Ralph Edwards.

Who runs the Jimmy Fund?

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute appointed Boston Red Sox President/CEO Emeritus Larry Lucchino as Chairman of the Jimmy Fund in 2016. Lucchino is a longtime supporter, leader, Trustee, and patient of Dana-Farber, which twice helped save his life from cancer over the last 30 years.

Einar Gustafsson: Taming the Dragon and Slaying the Princess

Is the Jimmy Fund a good charity?

Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund has received a 4-star rating (highest possible) from Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator, recognizing our prudent financial management and low cost of funds raised.

Did Ted Williams start the Jimmy Fund?

As a kid, Ted dreamed of being a sports hero, but as an adult, he dreamed of beating cancer. His efforts over the years contributed to remarkable progress in the treatment of childhood cancers. When Ted started working with the Jimmy Fund in the 1940s, almost every child with cancer died.

Who is Dana-Farber named after?

Dana Sr. Sidney Farber, MD, established the Institute in 1947 as the Children's Cancer Research Foundation. A pathologist who became known as the "father of chemotherapy," Dr. Farber was the first physician to achieve remission in childhood leukemia.

What does the Jimmy Fund support?

Mission. The Jimmy Fund solely supports the fight against cancer at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world.

How much money has the Jimmy Fund raised?

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the PMC has raised more than $114 million for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund, bucking industry-wide trends of decreased fundraising and engagement stemming from public health crisis.

What is the Jimmy Fund Walk?

The Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk is the largest participatory event benefiting the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It is the only event, other than the Boston Marathon® itself, sanctioned to travel along the famed 26.2-mile route from Hopkinton, Mass., to Boston.

What is the Jimmy Fund Red Sox?

The Boston Red Sox Jimmy Fund Award is the Jimmy Fund's highest honor, presented annually by the Red Sox to those who have demonstrated longstanding commitment to the lifesaving mission of Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund.

How did the Jimmy Fund begin?

The Jimmy Fund started in 1948 when the Variety Children's Charity of New England and the Boston Braves baseball team joined forces to help a 12-year-old cancer patient dubbed "Jimmy." On a national radio broadcast, millions heard the boy visit with his heroes from the Braves as they stood by his hospital bed.

What is Dana-Farber known for?

Dana-Farber is internationally renowned for its equal commitment to cutting edge research and provision of excellent patient care. The deep expertise in these two areas uniquely positions Dana-Farber to develop, test, and gain FDA approval for new cancer therapies in its laboratories and clinical settings.

When was chemotherapy first used for leukemia?

Long-term remissions and even cures of many patients with Hodgkin disease and childhood ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) treated with chemo were first reported during the 1960s.

Is Dana-Farber a good hospital?

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has been named one of the world's very best cancer hospitals by Newsweek in its new World's Best Specialized Hospitals 2021 rankings. Dana-Farber was ranked number 3 globally, the only hospital in New England to be ranked in the top 20 for oncology.

What care did the Red Sox give Williams?

Right before he left for Korea, the Red Sox had a "Ted Williams Day" in Fenway Park. Friends of Williams gave him a Cadillac, and the Red Sox gave Williams a memory book that was signed by 400,000 fans.

Where is Ted Williams Baseball Camp?

Ted Williams's former baseball camp in Lakeville hits a home run for Jimmy Fund. Alumni and friends of the former Ted Williams Baseball Camp in Lakeville raised almost $6,000 for the Jimmy Fund this summer.

When is the Jimmy Fund telethon?

The WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon presented by Arbella Insurance will return to Fenway Park on August 23 and 24, 2022.

How much of a donation goes to the Jimmy Fund?

The Jimmy Fund has: Raised millions of dollars since 1948. Eighty-eight cents of every dollar raised supports Dana-Farber's lifesaving mission.

What does the Pan Mass Challenge raise money for?

The PMC's mission is to raise funds for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to Dana-Farber.

Is Dana Farber a non profit?

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 1962, and donations are tax-deductible. Is this your nonprofit?

When is the Jimmy Fund Walk 2021?

Join us for the 2021 Jimmy Fund Walk on October 3. 2021 fundraising minimums are $100 for adults; and $25 for those under 18. The first 5,000 participants to register will receive a Jimmy Fund Walk T-shirt prior to Walk day. The Jimmy Fund Walk will occur Your Way from a location of your choice on October 3!