April 24, 2010 at 10:51 AM
Wakefield and Buchholz named Jimmy Fund Co-Captains
BOSTON - Red Sox pitchers Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz and President and CEO Larry Lucchino joined Dana-Farber President Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, along with pediatric and adult patients and their families, today to kick off their appointment as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund Co-captains.
The two pitchers will be ambassadors for the Jimmy Fund to raise awareness and build support for cancer care and research at Dana-Farber. They will also lend their support to some of the charity’s signature events throughout the year, visit adult and pediatric clinics, thank donors, and more.
“We’re proud to have Tim and Clay ‘pitching in’ for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund,” said Benz. “The combination of one of the Red Sox’ most established and distinguished veterans and one of the team’s brightest new stars reinforces the durability of the bond between the Sox and Dana-Farber.”
The Boston Red Sox are unequalled champions in the fight against cancer. The Red Sox adopted the Jimmy Fund as their official charity in 1953, and since then, the two organizations have established a deep bond — unlike any other between a professional sports team and a charity. The Red Sox have teamed with the Jimmy Fund to save lives, seek cures, and dramatically change the quality of life for adults and children facing cancer in New England and around the world.
Buchholz, who served as this year’s honorary spokesplayer for Dana-Farber’s Rally Against CancerSM fundraiser, is thrilled with his newest role with the Jimmy Fund.
“Being involved with the Jimmy Fund is an honor for any Red Sox player, as we are all aware of the long-standing relationship,” said Buchholz. “I feel extremely fortunate to be part of this tradition and will do what I can to support Dana-Farber’s important mission.”
Wakefield has been a longtime supporter of the Jimmy Fund, visiting with clinic teens during their road trips to Spring Training and a Red Sox road game each season, and participating in various WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethons. In 1998, he started the “Wakefield Warriors” program, through which patients from Dana-Farber and Franciscan Hospital for Children visit with him and watch batting practice before all Tuesday games at Fenway Park, and after the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series it was Wakefield who brought the coveted trophy to Dana-Farber for pediatric and adult patients to admire.
“I’ve often said how special it is to be a member of the Red Sox because of the passion New Englanders feel for baseball,” said Wakefield. “It’s the same way with the Jimmy Fund. Every time I walk out to the mound and see that Jimmy Fund emblem out on the Green Monster, I am reminded of the special role the team has played in helping fight cancer since Ted Williams visited with patients at Dana-Farber back in the 1950s.”
The Jimmy Fund, an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, supports the fight against cancer at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, helping to raise the chances of survival for children and adults with cancer around the world. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives by furthering cancer research and care.
Join Wakefield and Buchholz in their fight against cancer: Text KCANCER to 20222 to give $10 now (message and data rates apply; ten dollars will be billed to your cell phone; for terms, visit hmgf.org/t).