February 27, 2008
Tewksbury High School Rallies Against Cancer to support a classmate and the Jimmy Fund and for a chance to meet Red Sox champion Dustin Pedroia
Tewksbury High School sophomore Meghan McCarthy started a Rally Against Cancer team called Meghan's Miracle to support the Jimmy Fund. The 15-year-old is currently undergoing treatment for brain cancer in the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Her team is competing against other offices and schools to win a visit from Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
"Dustin and I share the same birthday, August 17," says McCarthy. "It would be so cool to have him at school." Even with chemotherapy treatments and receiving platelets in Boston, Meghan still attends class and has found time to get the word out about her team via emails, posters, coin collections at school and word of mouth. "It makes me feel special that people, some that I don't even know, are helping me. The people at the Jimmy Fund Clinic are like my other family and I know this money will help."
Participation in the Rally Against Cancer is as easy as putting on a Red Sox hat and shirt. Just log onto www.rallyagainstcancer.org and pitch in a minimum of $5 to help strike out cancer and wear Red Sox gear to work or school when the World Series Champions return to Fenway Park for the season home opener on Tuesday, April 8. Pedroia will visit the highest fundraising school and office team. "Unfortunately, everyone can't be at Fenway Park for the home opener," says Pedroia, honorary chair of Rally Against Cancer, "so this is a great alternative for fans to show support for my two favorite home town teams, the Red Sox and the Jimmy Fund."
Every team must designate a coach like McCarthy to help build the roster and the team's fundraising total, which will be calculated at 11 p.m. on April 8. Teams must be within a two-hour drive of Boston to win the Pedroia visit. Full rules are available on www.rallyagainstcancer.org.
McCarthy has never met Pedroia in person, but was at the first World Series game courtesy of tickets from the Jimmy Fund Clinic to see him in action. She is honored Pedroia is giving back to a charity dear to her and has a message that is powerful for both him and all of her supporters. "Never give up. Never stop trying. There is a cure for cancer in sight."
Pedroia adds, "I've been to Dana-Farber and seen first-hand how overwhelming and life-altering cancer can be for families and patients. Rally Against Cancer is an easy and fun way for everyone to help the Jimmy Fund, ultimately giving hope to the people who are fighting this awful disease."
For more information, visit www.rallyagainstcancer.org, or contact Charles Savicki at (617) 632-5420. The Jimmy Fund supports the fight against cancer at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, helping to raise the chances of survival for children and adults with cancer around the world. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives by furthering cancer research and care. Unrestricted support from the Jimmy Fund is an integral part of Mission Possible: The Dana-Farber Campaign to Conquer Cancer, a $1 billion capital campaign to accelerate cancer research, speed development of life-saving therapies, and expand the Institute's signature patient- and family-centered care.
Contacts
Elizabeth Chernack
Jimmy Fund
(617) 632-4687
