| The Jimmy Fund | |
| Logo Alt: | 200x136 |
| Named After: | Einar "Jimmy" Gustafson |
| Purpose: | Cancer research and patient care |
| Headquarters: | Brookline, Massachusetts |
| Leader Title: | Chairman |
| Affiliations: | Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Red Sox |
| Tax Id: | 04-2263040[1] |
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 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]
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.
On May 22, 1948, "Jimmy" inspired a movement on Truth or Consequences, a national radio program hosted by Ralph Edwards.[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.[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.[13] More than $200,000 was raised for the Jimmy Fund that year.
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]