Six Flags, Jimmy Fund, Red Sox unite to 'strike out cancer'

Date: 8/25/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



AGAWAM -- Six Flags New England and the Jimmy Fund are bridging the gap between Western Massachusetts and Boston during a live simulcast of the charity's annual radio-telethon next week.

The theme park will link up with the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon at Fenway Park on Aug. 28 -- via Sports Radio 105.5 WEEI-FM -- offering guests additional games, prizes and character sightings in an effort to "strike out cancer." The 36-hour radio-telethon has raised over $16 million since its inception seven years ago.

"Six Flags New England is excited to mark its first year as host to the Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon for the Springfield area," Melissa Pinkerton, public relations manager for Six Flags New England, said. "We are excited to be on board and look forward to working with this already successful charity to further its mission: eliminating cancer."

Those attending the park on Aug. 28 are asked to make donations at the main gate between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., and help to break last year's record of $4.8 million.

"There is nothing more important to us than these two days. The Radio-Telethon is filled with heart-warming and sometimes heart breaking stories from patients and doctors at Dana Farber [Cancer Institute]," Jason Wolfe, vice president of AM Programming for Entercom New England, said. "We continue to generate support across New England and the entire country. Each year we make great progress in the fight against cancer, and it is due to the incredible generosity of the listening public."

Donors may also call into the radio-telethon, which will be broadcast on NESN, with special guests Denis Leary, Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel.

Sports fans and theme park enthusiasts unable to make it to Fenway Park or Six Flags New England Aug. 27 or 28 can participate in the fundraising effort via the All-Star Online Auction on eBay. Bidders will have the opportunity to win such items as a meet and greet for two with pop star Kelly Clarkson; a New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox weekend package, including airfare; tickets to Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and more.

"We are so thankful for the WEEI and NESN listeners and viewers who have given generously to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund over the past years," Mike Andrews, chair of The Jimmy Fund, said. "We have been able to make so many important advances in cancer care and research, but as you'll hear during the Radio-Telethon, we still have not achieved our ultimate goal of striking out cancer."

To donate during the Radio-Telethon, call (877) 738-1234. For online contributions or additional information, visit www.jimmyfundradiotelethon.org.

To participate in the All-Star Online Auction, visit http://ebay.com/jimmyfund.