Red Sox announce August as 'Jimmy Fund Month'

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Adrian Gonzalez to donate $5,000 for each home run he hits in second half; for 10th straight year, Red Sox sponsor the Pan-Mass Challenge; for 11th straight year, Red Sox present the Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon on WEEI/NESN

The Boston Red Sox and the Red Sox Foundation today announced that August is "Jimmy Fund Month," when the team and its philanthropic arm will support the partnership that began in 1953 by raising funds and enhancing care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

"The relationship between the Red Sox, the Red Sox Foundation, and the Jimmy Fund has had an immeasurable impact on cancer patients' lives at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and worldwide," said Dana-Farber President Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD. "The generous support of the Red Sox, their players and their fans has enabled Dana-Farber caregivers and scientists to advance the treatment of cancer, saving countless lives the past six decades, and we're in a position to save even more lives in the decades ahead."

Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is committing $5,000 to the Jimmy Fund for every home run he hits during the second half of the 2012 season. The funds will be directed to the Jimmy Fund through the Red Sox Foundation. So far, Adrian has hit five home runs since the All-Star break for a current tally of $25,000.

For the 10th straight year, the Red Sox have supported the Pan Mass Challenge, the annual bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and raises funds for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Red Sox Foundation is a presenting co-sponsor of the event, which began in 1980 and took place August 4 and 5. Red Sox Front Office members ride, raise funds, and address participants at the start.

For the 11th straight year, the club will present the Red Sox Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon on WEEI/NESN. The event, which last year raised more than $3.4 million, is the club's 59th Act of Kindness in 2012. In honor of the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park, the club is engaging in 100 Acts of Kindness. This year marks the 59th anniversary of the Red Sox formal relationship with the Jimmy Fund. The 36-hour fundraiser will run from Tuesday, August 21 from 6 a.m. to midnight, and Wednesday, August 22 from 6 a.m. to midnight on WEEI and NESN. The annual fundraiser was created in 2002 by the Red Sox in conjunction with their radio partner, WEEI. NESN joined forces in 2003. Red Sox players and their wives have participated in the fundraiser each year.

In addition to supporting the fundraising efforts during the Radio-Telethon, the Red Sox will hold pre-game ceremonies prior to both games during the two-day period. Since its inception, this event has raised more than $28 million.

Also helping raise funds in August are Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine; Bench Coach Tim Bogar; Director of Professional Scouting Jared Porter; and Director of Baseball Information Services Tom Tippett, who donated their time for the Sabermetrics, Scouting and the Science of Baseball seminar at Boston University, which was held on August 4 and 5 to benefit the Jimmy Fund.


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