Movie Goers Raise Money for Cancer through Jimmy Fund Theatre Collections

This summer, the Jimmy Fund/Variety Children’s Charity Theatre Collections returns to the big screen! Celebrating 65 years of movie magic, the Jimmy Fund/Variety Club Theatre Collections wins the award for the Jimmy Fund’s longest cancer fundraising event.

The Theatre Collections signature canister made its movie debut in 1949. In the first year, the program raised critical funds to support cancer research at the new Children’s Cancer Research Foundation (Dana-Farber).

The program has attracted star-studded attention from celebrities such as Jimmy Cagney, Loretta Young, Bing Crosby, Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams, and more.

In the 1950s, television host Ed Sullivan asked movie theater audiences to give to the Jimmy Fund to support the care of pediatric cancer patients. Decades later, celebrities like Chris Evans, star of the Captain America films, asked for movie patrons to support cancer research.

Grab your popcorn and take a trip down memory lane with us as we celebrate 65 years of support from movie lovers like you!

The run time may be short, but the heartwarming effects of the Jimmy Fund trailers have a lasting impression.

Stronger than ever: former patient returns to the big screen

The current trailer appropriately titled, “Stronger than ever”, follows Dan Pardi, a now cancer-free twenty-something who was treated at the Jimmy Fund Clinic  almost 20 years ago. As a child, Pardi was featured in the award winning trailer “Strong as Iron.” As an adult, Pardi gives back to Dana-Farber and encourages audiences to do the same. Pardi’s success story shows audiences how their support helps patients’ lead happy and fulfilling lives.

Since its inception, the Theatre Collections Program has raised more than $30 million to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

We hope you will join us at the movies to raise money for cancer!

K. Connors
Account Manager/Writer, Development Communications