Meet Jimmy Fund Little League Designated Hitter, Patrick!

Patrick, a former Jimmy Fund patient,
Patrick, a former Jimmy Fund patient, helps strike out cancer by participating in and being the face of Jimmy Fund’s Little League program

Patrick, a former Jimmy Fund patient, and baseball go hand in hand. The game and theRed Sox have always held a special place in Patrick’s heart, coming from a long line of devoted and passionate baseball fans, including his “Grampy” who took Patrick to his first baseball game. It is this connection with baseball, the Boston Red Sox, and the Jimmy Fund that made Patrick the perfect Designated Hitter for the Little League program.

Like the major leagues, Jimmy Fund Little League presented by Extra Innings is in full swing in August. Jimmy Fund Little League players are all-stars on and off the field raising critical funds to support cancer research.  More than 5,000 participants throughout New England play off-season baseball to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

For a lot of children, the Jimmy Fund Little League program is a fun way to keep playing the sport they love; for Patrick it is much more. While Patrick loves baseball (as well as soccer, karate, swimming, and acting) and participates in the Little League program, he is also the program’s 2014 Designated Hitter and a former patient of the Jimmy Fund Clinic. What is a Jimmy Fund Little League Designated Hitter? He is a patient partner and the face of the Little League program. He stands up “to bat” for the Jimmy Fund and helps raise money for cancer.

Just after his 2nd birthday, Patrick was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Shortly after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Patrick made an appearance on the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. During his broadcast, former Red Sox manager Terry Francona gifted him an authentic team jacket. Although the jacket was too big, Patrick and his family used it to measure his progress. For more than two years, he received treatment at the Jimmy Fund Clinic and as of today is thriving and cancer free.

As the Little League Designated Hitter, Patrick will take the field at Fenway to congratulate our Jimmy Fund Little League players on their extraordinary fundraising efforts. He will be wearing his authentic Red Sox team jacket that now fits!

Do you know someone who participated in this year’s Little League program to help raise money for cancer research? We want to know! Leave a comment and let me know which team you were rooting for this season!

Learn more about Jimmy Fund Little League and other Jimmy Fund cancer fundraising events.