The 24th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon will air on Monday, Aug. 17 and Tuesday, Aug. 18, with NESN providing complete coverage from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. before Red Sox games against the Diamondbacks. It is a familiar and important date on the New England sports calendar, bringing together broadcast, baseball and fundraising for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund.
The event has raised more than $80 million since it launched in 2002, underlining just how significant the two-day fundraiser has become. In 2025, the Telethon set a new record by raising more than $5.76 million, a reminder that the annual broadcast still has the power to drive real support.
Tom Caron: a broadcast that brings fans together
Tom Caron, the Jimmy Fund co-chair, said the broadcast is an important way to unite supporters around the cause.
“This inspiring radio and television broadcast live from Fenway Park is an incredible way to bring together Red Sox fans and supporters to raise funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. Tune in on Aug. 17 and 18 to hear inspirational patient stories and make a gift of any size to help strike out cancer,” Caron said.
That captures the purpose of the telethon clearly. This is not just a baseball crossover event; it is a live fundraiser built around patient stories, special ceremonies and appearances that connect the Red Sox community with the work being done at Dana-Farber.
Why the schedule matters
The timing of the telethon gives it maximum visibility. NESN will air complete coverage across both days from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., placing the event in front of viewers throughout the day before the Red Sox play the Diamondbacks.
That kind of reach matters because the Jimmy Fund Telethon relies on sustained attention as much as it does on individual donations. The combination of live Fenway Park staging, television coverage and radio presence has long been central to its appeal.
What the Jimmy Fund supports
The fundraiser supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, with Caron also saying, “We look forward to celebrating stories of hope and support for cancer care and research at Dana-Farber.”
For supporters, that makes the event straightforward in its mission. The money raised is tied directly to cancer care and research, and the telethon gives fans a simple way to be part of that effort.
With the 24th annual edition now set for Aug. 17 and Aug. 18, the message is familiar but still powerful: tune in, hear the stories and give what you can.
