WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon

Zachary was diagnosed in May 2016 after having pain in his leg that caused him to limp. His treatment now includes 3-week cycles of chemotherapy. At home, his cycles include 5 days of steroids14 days of chemo, and 2 Visiting Nurse Association visits for chemo through his port. Zachary has spent countless hours in the hospital watching Red Sox games. Instead of watching cartoons, he would tune in to watch the recaps of the previous night games during the day when they weren't playing. Because of the Jimmy Fund Clinic, Zachary got to see his first baseball game last summer and it was wonderful. He has such a love for the Red Sox and Wally. Zachary loves sports, and has an older brother Ryan and a younger sister, Emma.

Finn and Mack were born prematurely in August 2016, and while having regular eye exams in the NICU, doctors discovered he had retinoblastoma, a cancer of the eye that begins in the retina. Finn began chemotherapy in October 2016 and is still in treatment. While originally from Western Mass, Finn’s family moved to Natick to be closer to Boston and his treatment team. Shannon recalls meeting Finn’s treatment team, and someone said “we’re going to be with you forever – we expect an invite to graduation and the wedding!” and she felt instantly supported, at ease and at home. Finn's family includes his mom Shannon, dad Tim, and twin brother, Mack.

Jennifer Millar is a preschool teacher from northern New Jersey. Last fall, she was experiencing swelling and irritation in her breast. She was treated for an infection. When it became clear that the antibiotics were not resolving her discomfort, Jenny was sent for a mammogram and ultrasound. She was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) in November 2016. Unlike traditional breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer is not characterized by a lump but by inflammation and tenderness in the breast. Inflammatory breast cancer is often more aggressive than other breast cancers and can be more difficult to treat. Jennifer moved her treatment to Dana-Farber with Dr. Beth Overmoyer who heads Dana-Farber's Inflammatory Breast Cancer program. Jennifer has undergone surgery, chemotherapy and is enrolled in a clinical trial. Jennifer has two small children, ages 3 and 6 – between work, breast cancer and being a mom, she doesn’t have much free time. When she does get a chance to get away she likes to travel with her kids.

Dr. Overmoyer launched the Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Program at Dana-Farber in 2009, where she continues to serve as the principal investigator of many IBC research programs and clinical trials.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts joins Dale, Holley and Rich Keefe on day two of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon.

Diana Stork was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2016 after she went in for her routine mammogram with zero cancer symptoms.  An ultrasound and biopsy confirmed the initial suspicion of breast cancer. Diana had surgery and was placed in Dr. Daniel Hassett’s clinic at Dana-Farber. She received radiation and is on continuation medication and is today cancer-free. Diana is extremely grateful for the quality care that she has had at Dana-Farber, including the Zakim Center. After surgery but before radiation started, Diana wondered what else she could do while spending so much time at Dana-Farber, so she stuck her head into a tai chi class and asked if she could just watch for one class. The instructor told her to join the class, so she did, and was hooked from that point forward! Diana began scheduling her radiation around Zakim classes. She has enjoyed women’s exercise classes, Pilates, yoga, tai chi, tai gong, and massage. She goes to the Zakim Center 2-4 times a week. Diana says that the Zakim Center is beneficial for three reasons: 1.) when one feels stronger and healthier, one is stronger and healthier and better equipped to battle their cancer 2.) the camaraderie of the group is reassuring and inspiring without the pressures of a talk group, 3.) the teachers are both caring and challenging in a way that she finds extremely motivating.  Diana is married to Dr. Muz Mansuri, a physician on the South Shore and they have one son, Daniel, 25. Diana is a former college professor who is now working as a book editor. One of her major goals is to successfully wrap up this 18-month project with a strong book launch and art opening in New York in the spring of 2018. She is also interested in traveling, fishing, designing, and consulting.

Dr. Ligibel received her MD from Washington University in St. Louis. Later she completed a residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, followed by a medical oncology fellowship at DFCI. In 2001, she joined the Women's Cancer Program at DFCI and is currently an instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. In addition to her role as a breast cancer physician, Dr. Ligibel is also director of the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living, which is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients and their families by incorporating complementary therapies into traditional cancer care. Just two weeks ago, the Zakim Center opened a brand new specially designed facility within the Institute, making it the first comprehensive cancer center in Boston to offer such a broad selection of supportive services. This dedicated space will allow Dana-Farber to meet the increasingly large patient interest in integrative services, while expanding healthy living initiatives. The Zakim Center now features five treatment rooms for acupuncture and massage, a consultation room for integrative medicine and nutrition services, a mind-body studio for yoga and group movement class, and an exercise training studio. Patients using the Zakim Center often report reductions in cancer-related pain, less fatigue and nausea, and overall better quality of life.

Petter Etholm of AFC Urgent Care joins Dale, Holley and Rich Keefe on day two of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon.

Jerry was diagnosed with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) in March 2017. ALD is a genetic brain disorder that most severely affects boys and men. Jerry learned he was a gene holder of the disease in 2012 and his older brother, Ricky, 13, also has ALD. Jerry's treatment has included a stem cell transplant. He continues to be monitored by the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana-Farber. Jerry will start school at Garfield Middle School in Revere this year. He enjoys playing video games, baseball, football, and swimming.  Jerry has a great sense of humor and is quite a jokester.

Dr. Duncan can speak to the challenges that children with cancer face and what Dana-Farber is doing to make cancer treatment more effective for more patients. 

Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs joins Dale, Holley and Rich Keefe on day two of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon.

Alexander was diagnosed with Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), an extremely rare bone marrow failure syndrome, shortly after birth. With DBA, the body’s bone marrow does not produce enough red blood cells, resulting in extreme anemia in the affected person. Alexander’s mother Maria also has DBA and the condition is genetic, so doctors knew to test him after birth. Alexander has been receiving care from Dana-Farber and Boston Children’s ever since he was born. Alexander receives monthly blood transfusions in the Jimmy Fund Clinic. His condition is considered chronic, so his treatment is ongoing. Alexander’s parents chose Dana-Farber for his treatment due to the renowned reputation of Dana-Farber and Boston Children’s, especially for their treatment of pediatric hematology/blood disorders. They say that Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s is the best possible place Alexander can be – words can’t express what the fantastic staff means to their family. Alexander attends St. Joseph’s school in Medford and enjoys watching Boston sports teams, skateboarding, movies and videogames.

Jamie Clark of Rite Window joins Dale, Holley and Rich Keefe on day two of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon.