The 2020 holiday season, more than ever, was a time of reflection and gratitude as communities came together to support those in need. This spirit of generosity was ever-present on GivingTuesday, an international day of giving observed on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, as our own community of supporters raised nearly $1.6 million, the highest-ever GivingTuesday total for Dana-Farber and Jimmy Fund.
A variety of efforts, including online, text-to-give, social media, and two matching challenges funded by Arbella Insurance Group and VFW Lt. James A. Logan Post No. 6800, helped to motivate gifts of all sizes from more than 3,000 donors across the country. Longtime Jimmy Fund partner WEEI 93.7 FM hosted a one-day radio broadcast on Dec. 1, WEEI’s GivingTuesday to benefit the Jimmy Fund presented by Arbella Insurance. Interviews with Dana-Farber patients and their families, Institute leaders, and representatives of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and New England Patriots inspired listeners to give generously. The broadcast was bolstered by $138,500 from the Red Sox Partners Challenge and a nearly $260,000 contribution from Find Mass Money.
Among the Dana-Farber patients supporting the GivingTuesday effort was Caesar, pictured above with his wife, Gil, who came to Dana-Farber for a second opinion after a diagnosis of prostate cancer with a grim prognosis. Caesar took part in a clinical trial here, is now cancer free, and living life to the fullest. “I could never have imagined this,” he says. “Dana-Farber gave my life back to me.”