Weei/nesn Jimmy Fund Radio-telethon

Lorayne Wadden joins Gresh and Fauria to discuss her four year old daughter's acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) diagnosis in November 2023. Eliza's treatment has included chemotherapy, and she currently is in treatment. Her family thinks the Jimmy Fund Clinic is so special because the staff, doctors, and nurses help make them forget about the illness at times and comforts the patients through the entire process. In the Jimmy Fund Clinic, Eliza loves the music room, playing, singing, dancing, and doing crafts.   

Marlene joins Gresh and Fauria to discuss her battle with Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Merlene is joined by daughter Jen and Dr. Lachelle Weeks. Dr. Weeks is an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a physician-scientist in the adult leukemia program at Dana-Farber Cancer institute.  Dr. Weeks’ clinic focuses on the care of patients with precursors of myeloid malignancies including clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) and clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS). Her research focuses on understanding features of CHIP and CCUS that impact the progression to overt myeloid diseases such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute leukemia.

Doug Grip, who was diagnosed with squamous cell sarcoma in 2018, sits down with Gresh and Fauria alongside Dr. Robert Haddad, the chief physician of the Head and Neck Oncology division. Doug, who is celebrating being cancer-free for six years this month, praises the above-and-beyond support and caretaking of his wife, Karen, as well as their two daughters who wore necklaces with the word “Hopeful” throughout his treatment. He also credits his recovery with his relentlessly positive attitude.  

Shirley Joseph, a breast cancer patient at Dana-Farber joins Gresh and Fauria alongside her husband, Mike, and  Kristen Donoghue a Registered Nurse at Dana-Farber. Kristen says her best days at work are when she “throws myself into my patients’ lives” and helps them to redirect focus on their family, friends, and ambitions—not their cancer. Shirley and Kirsten discuss the relationship they have developed since meeting at Dana-Farber and Shirley's battled with breast cancer.  Shirley came to Dana-Farber for treatment and has been undergoing chemotherapy and surgery throughout this year. Shirley is raising awareness of IBC by creating video content on social media. She didn’t let her cancer stop her from opening the hair salon, “Locs By Us,” which opened last month. Shirley was also perform the National Anthem ahead of tonight's Red Sox game. 

Chris Devin joins Gresh and Fauria to discuss his experience battling multiple myeloma and his participation in a clinical trial at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute under the care of Dr. Paul Richardson.  Chris faced a series of relapses and faced another intensive treatment regimen lasting 12 months. In October 2023, Chris underwent CAR T-cell therapy. Despite being hospitalized multiple times due to his compromised immune system and enduring a battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia, Chris's resilience shone through and today is feeling fantastic. Dr. Paul G. Richardson is the clinical program leader and director of clinical research in the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center and LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics at DF/BWCC. He is also an RJ Cordman Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. One of the world’s foremost authorities on multiple myeloma, Richardson serves as principal investigator for numerous clinical trials underway to improve patient outcome and increase long-term survivorship.

Bruins forward Pavel Zacha joins Gresh and Fauria to discuss the Jimmy Fund, Pastrnak's wedding, the Bruins offseason, and more. 

Mary Cortes and Dr. Pozo-Kaderman join Gresh and Fauria to discuss Dana Farber's Young Adult Program (YAP). The aim of YAP is to o   Ease the emotional burden of living and coping with cancer o   Empower young adults to become active participants in their cancer treatment o   Provide emotional and social support in the form of educational workshops, conferences, opportunities to network with other young adults with cancer, and clinical mental health services  Mary was diagnosed with lymphoma in May 2023. Mary sought consultation at two other hospitals before deciding to proceed with her care at Dana-Farber. Mary’s treatment included a port placement for a six-month course of chemotherapy.  Mary is a nursing student and surgical assistant at a Cranio-Maxillofacial surgeon’s office in Medford. Dr. Pozo-Kaderman is a senior psychologist and the Director of the Young Adult Program (YAP) and Director of Interprofessional Education in the Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care at the Dana Farber Ca

Erika Lowenthal, a Neurologic Music Therapist, and Emily Kleschinsky, a Certified Child Life Specialist, join Gresh and Fauria to discuss their work with the Jimmy Fund Clinic and Dana-Farber. Erika works alongside the Jimmy Fund Clinic’s incredible Child Life Specialists to create support plans to help patients during medical procedures, provide one-on-one sessions throughout the clinic and host a bi-weekly music therapy group online called Jimmy Jams for younger children.   Emily works with patients to developmentally-appropriately prepare them for things like port accesses and blood draws, helping them create coping plans, and accompanying them to procedures. Emily plans crafts for the kids to do while they are at the clinic, spends a lot of time doing one-on-one play, and does her best to make sure that the kids have the opportunity to express themselves and be kids while in care.

Charlie Jacobs, CEO and alternate governor for the Bruins, joins Gresh and Fauria to discuss the Jimmy Fund and the Bruins role in the Boston community. 

Kadidia Dienta joins Gresh and Fauria along with Dr. Reid Merryman. Kadidia discusses her battle with lymphoma cancer that begin in July 2020. Kadidia’s treatment included chemotherapy, CAR T therapy, and after two relapses with cancer, she is currently participating in a clinical trial that shows promise.  Dr. Merryman is an attending physician in the Lymphoma Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. His research focuses on the development of immune-based therapies for patients with lymphoma.

The parents of Antonie "Toni" Smith; Tracey and Ryan sit down with Gresh and Fauria to discuss their three year old daughter's acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) diagnosis in February and the treatment Toni is currently receiving treatment from Dana-Farber.

Ashley Wells, an oncology nurse in Dana-Farber’s Inpatient Hospital for 20 years, joins Gresh and Fauria. Ashley discusses her professional experience as a nurse at Dana-Farber and her personal experience with parents receiving treatment from Dana-Farber. Her mother’s breast cancer was misdiagnosed at another hospital in 2017 before being successfully treated at Dana-Farber. In 2021, her father was treated at Dana-Farber for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and is now in remission.

Barrett J. Rollins, MD, PhD, received his doctoral degree in 1979 and medical degree in 1980 from Case Western Reserve University and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital, Boston. He then performed clinical and research fellowships in medical oncology at Dana-Farber and joined the Institute's faculty in 1986. Dr. Rollins served as Dana-Farber's Chief Scientific Officer from 2004-2019; he is currently Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a senior advisor to Dana-Farber's President and CEO.

Christopher Lathan, MD, MS, MPH, is the Chief Clinical Access and Equity Officer and Founding Director, Cancer Care Equity Program at Dana-Farber. He is also a clinical oncologist focused on lung cancer.   His research interests focus on leading system wide efforts to broaden access to cancer care for historically marginalized groups to reduce disparities and improved health outcomes.   The Cancer Care Equity Program is a clinical outreach program that aids in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients at Federally Qualified Health Centers. Dr. Lathan’s work   addresses the health disparities he’s witnessed first-hand, including interactions his family members have had with inequitable health practices.   His primary interests are centered on the effects of race, class, and access to care in cancer outcomes, and racial disparities in lung cancer treatment, differences in access to precision medicine by race and social class and equitable distribution of new treatment across historically marginalized popu

Brandon Milton, RN, BSN, OCN, Nursing and Patient Care Services, Dana-Farber   Brandon had wanted to be an oncology nurse since age 8, when his father was diagnosed with lung cancer. His father, a Vietnam veteran went into remission following surgery and chemotherapy treatments in 2004 but relapsed when Brandon was a high school senior.   An oncology nurse for five years, Brandon has worked at Dana-Farber—Merrimack Valley for a year and a half. Brandon, the only male infusion nurse at that campus, takes great pride in responses on numerous patient satisfaction surveys praising his caring nature and efforts to advocate for his patients while comforting and supporting them throughout treatment.

Robert Hale, Donor       Rob currently serves on Copley’s investment committee and as an entrepreneur in residence assisting the development of Copley’s portfolio companies. Rob founded Granite Telecommunications in 2002 and has grown the company into one of the largest privately held telecommunications services companies in the U.S., with revenues exceeding $1.5 billion.       Rob is the founder and board chair of Fox Rock Capital, a single-family office based in Boston, founding owner of FoxRock Properties, a commercial real estate firm, and is co-owner of the NBA’s Boston Celtics and Boston Cannons of the Premier Lacrosse League.       Rob lives in the Boston area with his wife and three children. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Boston Children’s Hospital, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, the South Shore YMCA, and the Massachusetts Soldiers Legacy Fund.       Robert Hale Sr., Rob Jr.'s father, was a patient at Dana-Farber and died in 2008 from pancreatic cancer.       Rob and his family are philanth

TWO-HUNDRED-FIFTY-THOUSAND DOLLARS. Bob Eddy, CEO & Chairman of BJ's, joined Joe & Will in the booth to announce an incredibly generous $250,000 donation to the Jimmy Fund during night two of our telethon!

Keith Salome joins Joe & Will from the WEEI Sox booth to share his story about his battle with kidney cancer.

Tom McManus, President of Cape Cod Lumber, joins Joe & Will from the booth to announce a generous $5,000 donation by the company! 

1-year old Ava Morawski and mom Katie join Joe & Will in the booth! Ava was diagnosed with a brain tumor (typical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor) She had started vomiting and exhibiting developmental delays as well as a rapidly enlarging head circumference. They got a CT scan which revealed the tumor. Ava wastransported to Boston Children's for surgery and then six months of in-patient treatment, including chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, followed by three months of outpatient treatment of chemo, infusions, and radiation. Ava is likely going to start a study given suspected recurrence. Ava enjoys a game of peekaboo with Will Flemming!