2022 was a year all of us at Dana-Farber & The Jimmy Fund will remember

Throughout 2022, thousands of cyclists, walkers, runners, golfers, gamers, and more showed their passion for giving back and their dedication to a world without cancer by donating their time, funds, resources, and skills to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. The below highlights, listed in chronological order, represent just a portion of this amazing community, whose commitment to defying cancer for all patients is truly outstanding. Thank you for all you do in support of our mission. Together, we’re all Jimmy, and we can defy cancer.

Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation makes transformative $40 million grant

Starting 2022 off on a positive note, the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation announced a $40 million transformative grant to support multiple myeloma research led by Dana-Farber, the Institute’s largest single award supporting this work. With this remarkable gift, the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation, based in St. Louis, increased its cumulative support of Dana-Farber to nearly $60 million—and gave more hope to patients living with this complex disease.

Dana-Farber celebrates 75 years

Dana-Farber recognized 75 years of progress and impact on March 30, launching a year-long celebration to highlight the Institute’s history and role in advancing cancer care and research since its founding in 1947. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu recognized March 30 as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Day, while the Institute shared historical moments and highlights throughout the year, and faculty and staff were recognized for the vital roles they play in Dana-Farber’s history—and future.

Runners lace up for Dana-Farber in the 127th Boston Marathon®

The historic Boston Marathon® took place on Patriots’ Day for the first time since 2019—and the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team did not disappoint, fielding more than 500 team members who ran 26.2 miles to defy cancer. Team DFMC raised nearly $7 million, topping its 2019 total and showing unwavering dedication to Dana-Farber’s mission. Elsewhere, hundreds of Dana-Farber runners logged thousands of miles and raised another $3.4 million combined in the B.A.A. 5K, Falmouth Road Race, B.A.A. Half Marathon, and other races across the country and around the world, taking vital steps toward the ultimate finish line: a world without cancer.

Dana-Farber patients—and community—inspire on Giving Day

On May 25, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund held its third annual Giving Day, a special day dedicated to bringing the Dana-Farber and Jimmy Fund community together to defy cancer. More than 3,000 donors across the country made gifts of all sizes totaling over $567,000. Inspiring—and inspired by—the loyal donor community, a generous anonymous Dana-Farber Trustee matched all gifts to the Defy Cancer Fund up to $250,000.

Mia, a pediatric patient being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic, was just one of the patients whose stories touched the hearts and minds of our committed supporters and whose lives will be forever changed by their generosity.

Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl® returns at a new location

All-you-can-eat ice cream, we’ve missed you! The Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl® presented by Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeSM made a triumphant return this June in a new location, Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass. Ice cream fans from near and far gathered to enjoy sweet treats at the Jimmy Fund’s first ice cream festival since 2019, while supporting Dana-Farber’s mission, raising a cool $234,000.

Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center opens in Foxborough

Ice cream wasn’t the only thing that came to Foxborough this year—Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center opened its newest facility on August 11, bringing Dana-Farber’s signature world-class cancer care to patients in southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The facility provides medical oncology and hematology care, blood transfusions, clinical trials, and pharmacy services, while genetic counseling, palliative care, and psychosocial and survivorship programs will soon be available.

PMC raises record-breaking $69 million— gets closer by the mile

On August 6-7, 2022, 6,400 riders took part in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) presented by the Red Sox Foundation and M&T Bank, raising an incredible $69 million in support of Dana-Farber, a testament to the PMC community’s unparalleled dedication to defying cancer. This generous gift brings the PMC’s total contributions since 1980 to an outstanding $900 million. The PMC is Dana-Farber’s largest single contributor, and donates 100% of every rider-raised dollar directly to support lifesaving cancer research, treatment, and care at Dana-Farber, accounting for 60% of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue.

Jimmy Fund Walk returns to the course for the first time since 2019

After two years of walking “your way”—in neighborhoods, on trails or treadmills, in backyards and around the world—the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai returned to the storied Boston Marathon® course, with more than 7,500 participants walking to defy cancer. Walkers on the course, and those in their communities walking virtually, raised more than $8.3 million.

Jimmy Fund Let’s Game takes the West Coast

In October, Jimmy Fund Let’s Game®, one of the newest ways to get involved with the Jimmy Fund, visited TwitchCon in San Diego, showing gamers how they can make a difference for Dana-Farber patients from their computer screen or gaming console. Visitors dropped by the booth to share who they stream for, spelling out Dana-Farber’s mission to defy cancer prominently on the exhibition wall.

Without your support, these moments would not be possible. THANK YOU for your continued dedication to our mission—we look forward to an exciting 2023 ahead!

Help support our mission by joining The Dana-Farber Campaign, our ambitious, multi-year fundraising effort to prevent, treat, and defy cancer. The Dana-Farber Campaign will accelerate the Institute’s strategic priorities by supporting revolutionary science, extraordinary care, and exceptional expertise. As a community, we have the power to create a more hopeful, cancer-free future—in Boston and around the world. Together, we can defy cancer at every turn. Learn more about The Dana-Farber Campaign and how you can get involved at DefyCancer.org.