WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

Annette was diagnosed with ALL at 6 months old. During a routine check-up, her primary care doctor noticed she was jaundice. Blood tests revealed she had ALL and her parents wanted her to be treated at Dana-Farber. Dr. Sallan treated Annette and her treatment included cranial radiation and chemotherapy treatment for more than 3 years.

Annette enjoys going to Red Sox games, hiking with her dog, going on day trips with her boyfriend, and spending time with family and friends.In 2001, Annette was diagnosed with benign brain tumors. Her doctors believe that tumors were from the chemotherapy and radiation treatment that she had as a child.

Dr. Sallan has been a part of the Dana-Farber staff since 1975 and has seen great strides in the treatment of childhood cancers.Dr. Sallan can give a big picture overview of how research dollars translate to improved treatment and cures for different types of cancers.

Boston Red Sox Dustin Pedroia joins Dale, Michael, and Keefe on the first day of the 16th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. 

In June 2016, Ivon was watching a basketball game at home when he started having double-vision. The next day, he felt too disoriented to drive to work, so his wife drove him, but he could not even make it through a meeting so he went to the hospital.  An MRI revealed he had a massive brain tumor. He was rushed by ambulance to Boston because he knew he wanted to be cared for at Dana-Farber. He  had surgery the next day. The tumor was 25% of his entire brain and 100% of it was removed by surgeons. Doctors said he likely would have dropped dead a day later if they did not get the tumor out. Since most of these types of glioblastoma tumors can return, his Dana-Farber doctor started him on an aggressive treatment plan. This involved a clinical trial including radiation and chemotherapy. He is now off treatment, feeling wonderful, and has bimonthly follow-ups. Ivon has a wife, Nicole and two kids: Quill, 26, Ryan, 24 He is the owner of Gois Broadcast Group. He is thrilled to be spending quality time with family, swimming off of Martha's Vineyard, back to work and enjoying life. He says that he owes his life to Dana-Farber and that hopes his father (recently diagnosed with myeloma) has the same success.

Sarah was diagnosed with a germinoma brain tumor in 2016. After months of migraines and tests, she was diagnosed with the extremely rare disease. Her treatment has included chemotherapy and proton radiation. She just finished up her active treatment in May. She is starting to get her energy back and her spirits are high. After being out of school for a year, Sarah is entering 8th grade in the fall at Melrose Middle School. She enjoys dancing, skiing, and softball in her spare time. She has a younger sister, Abby, 10.

Courtney has been at Dana-Farber for 2 years. She has worked in pediatric oncology for 19 years. She has been Sarah's infusion nurse during her chemotherapy treatments. She says Sarah is doing great and should return to school in September. She says Sarah is a spunky girl with a great attitude and her family is a joy to work with.

Devon is an outdoorsman who noticed a lump on his neck mid-winter. He thought that his lymph nodes were swollen due to illness. AWhen the inflammation did not go away, he went to have it evaluated by the doctor.  A biopsy was taken, and after many tests, it was eventually determined that he had nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a rare cancer, so his local cancer center in upstate New York did not have much experience with it. He opted for a second opinion in Boston, and began treatment at Dana-Farber a week later. He was in-patient from late April-early July receiving 4½  days of straight chemotherapy at a time. He is now in daily radiation until the end of August. Devon is seeing promising results, as the lymph node inflammation has shrunk and Dr. Hanna is optimistic that this will continue with his treatment. Devon is the youngest of 4, he has 2 brothers and a half-sister. Devon is a big soccer player and grew up playing the sport. He went to college at the University of Maine-Machias, where he discovered a deep and true passion for the outdoors. He now works as a ski patroller in Vermont in the winter and works at Acadia National Park in the summer. He has moved to Boston to complete treatment, and says he is relieved he made the decision to get care at Dana-Farber. His future goals include being declared cancer-free and finding a way to use his degree and passion for the outdoors to get a job that provides health insurance. He has been covered by his mom’s insurance but will turn 26 this fall. He looks forward to going back to the outdoors, being active, and having peace of mind.

Dr. Hanna completed his residency training in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and fellowship training in hematology & medical oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2016. Prior to this, he earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2010, where he graduated summa cum laude, a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and the Kober Medalist for academic excellence. He says that Devon is a courageous and mature young adult battling a relatively uncommon head and neck cancer. Dr. Hanna admires his indomitable spirit, strength and determination throughout this difficult journey. Devon reminds him every visit what is most rewarding about having chosen a career in cancer medicine.

Nancy was diagnosed with breast cancer after she found a lump in 2016. Her treatment has included chemotherapy, lumpectomy and radiation therapy and she is continuing 2 of the 4 chemo drugs (“chemo light”, she calls it) through January 2018. She will then begin endocrine therapy in pill form for 5-10 years. Her hobbies include real estate development, attending theatre, traveling, and reading. She is single and has one sister.She currently works for Wilkins Management, Inc and Marsalis Music, LLC. Wilkins Management is the management entity for several acclaimed jazz musicians. Marsalis Music is an independent record label (founded by Branford Marsalis). For Wilkins Management, she handles all publishing and IP matters for the clients, and for the label, she handles financial and business affairs.

Dr. Burstein’s clinical research interests include novel treatments for early and advanced-stage breast cancer and studies of quality of life and health behavior among women with breast can

• Dr. Burstein has written widely on breast cancer in traditional medical journals and on the web. He can speak to:
  • The Breast Oncology program in the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers at Dana-Farber
  • New advances in breast cancer that are helping women
  • What it means to have metastatic breast cancer

Parker was diagnosed with acute b-cell lymphoblastic leukemia (b-cell ALL) in January 2017. In January, Parker came down with a bad ear infection. Allergic to many antibiotics, it took a long time for his ear infection to clear up, but even when it did, he still wasn’t feeling well. Parker became extremely lethargic and fell asleep constantly. He was pale and had shortness of breath, as well as night sweats. Concerned he might have anemia, Michelle brought Parker to his pediatrician. Blood tests revealed that Parker’s red blood cell count was very low, and more extensive tests revealed he also had extremely low platelet and white blood cell counts. Parker's pediatrician referred him to a hematologist at Boston Children’s – and Parker went there right away by ambulance. He began blood transfusions in the ICU immediately. By that evening, Parker was diagnosed with leukemia, and by the following afternoon they had the specific b-cell ALL diagnosis. Parker’s doctors determined that his case was very treatable, and as such, he is currently undergoing a research protocol at the Jimmy Fund Clinic and at home there is a more personalized and less intense treatment approach to chemotherapy. Parker is still in treatment and visits the Jimmy Fund Clinic on 3-week cycles for chemotherapy. He also has a visiting nurse at home who administers oral chemo and steroids.Parker attends pre-K in Scituate as much as he can. He loves Legos, arts and crafts, and to play outside - especially at the beach. His family includes his parents and sisters, Hannah, 17, and Clara, 13.

 Deborah Goldberg Treasurer of Massachusetts joins Glenn, Lou, and Christian on the first day of the 16th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. 

After being treated for 2½ years for osteosarcoma, Maddie passed away on May 19, 2017 at the age of 15. Maddie was a student at Bishop Connolly High School in Fall River. She touched so many lives with her loving, care-free spirit and witty attitude. Maddie had a radiant smile that would always light up a room. Her passion for dancing led her to Danceworks in Bristol, RI for 10 years where she was mesmerizing on stage. Maddie was also a highly-skilled cornhole player and participated in many tourneys throughout the area. Her prowess at “throwing bags” drew the admiration of all her competitors. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She developed a special friendship with Brock Holt and presented him with the Roberto Clemente nomination at the game last September. Krista had been Maddie’s primary infusion nurse from her diagnosis until her death. They spent countless hours together in clinic during long infusions, multiple relapses and tough clinical decisions. Maddie was always happy to see everyone in the Jimmy Fund Clinic, who became her extended family. Krista says that Maddie was a beautiful person inside and out. Dawn says Krista was more than a nurse. She will never forget the last time Maddie had to receive chemotherapy. Maddie was so sad and started to cry.  Krista kissed the top of Maddie's head and walked away with tears in her eyes.  Maddie went through so much in the three years she was in treatment. She did it with a positive attitude and always had a smile on her face.

Krista has been at Dana-Farber since 2000.  She became a nurse because her favorite aunt was a nurse. She has spent her whole nursing career as a pediatric oncology nurse and would not give it up for the world!  She loves working with kids and is inspired by their strength and resilience.Krista says that as a mother herself, she is in awe of parents like Dawn, who come to the Jimmy Fund Clinic with their sick children and keep a positive attitude and maintain a safe secure environment for their kids by establishing a trusting relationship with their nurses and care team members despite their own fears.. Krista has told Dawn many times that she and Steve did a wonderful job raising a beautiful young lady and they will do a wonderful job carrying on her memory.

Steve Pagliuca, co-owner of the Boston Celtics  joins Dale, Michael, and Keefe on the first day of the 16th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon.