Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock named 2023 Jimmy Fund Captain

The Jimmy Fund announced today that Boston Red Sox pitcher, Garrett Whitlock, will serve as the Jimmy Fund Captain this season. Whitlock will be an ambassador for the Jimmy Fund’s 75th anniversary and will help to support and promote Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund’s mission to defy cancer. The Red Sox have partnered with the Jimmy Fund since 1953, the longest and most charitable partnership in professional sports, and as Jimmy Fund Captain, Whitlock will continue this tradition.

"Like all players in MLB, I am aware of the strong partnership and rich history between the Red Sox organization, the players, and the Jimmy Fund. I am honored to be asked to serve as this year’s Jimmy Fund Captain. I look forward to meeting patients and their families and helping to raise awareness and funds for all the amazing work that is being done at Dana-Farber," said Whitlock.

Whitlock recently had a video call with Dana-Farber pediatric patient, Blair, 5, and the pair talked about baseball, Wally the Green Monster, and about being tough through challenges, like Blair’s treatment. Whitlock and Blair hope to meet in person this season. As Jimmy Fund Captain, Whitlock will also attend fundraising events, visit patients, build support, and raise funds for cancer care and research at Dana-Farber. Funds raised through the Jimmy Fund support The Dana-Farber Campaign, the Institute’s ambitious, multi-year fundraising effort to prevent, treat, and defy cancer through revolutionary science, extraordinary care, exceptional expertise, and essential opportunities — saving more lives than ever before.

"We are thrilled to have Garrett Whitlock as our Jimmy Fund Captain this year," said Larry Lucchino, Chairman of the Jimmy Fund, Trustee of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Chairman/Principal Owner of the Worcester Red Sox, and President/CEO Emeritus of the Boston Red Sox. "Garrett’s involvement, and support of the Jimmy Fund and the Red Sox community, continues a long line of talented and selfless players who have served as ambassadors to support the Jimmy Fund’s important mission of defying cancer. Thank you, Garrett."

Past Jimmy Fund Captains include Nathan Eovaldi, Mitch Moreland, Brock Holt, Pablo Sandoval, Will Middlebrooks, David Ross, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Daniel Bard, Clay Buchholz, and Tim Wakefield.

Grassroots community fundraising is the heart and soul of the Jimmy Fund — thousands of people organize bike rides, bake sales, lemonade stands, runs, walks, golf tournaments, dances, auctions, softball games, and more, bringing their communities together to help Dana-Farber save lives.

Some upcoming Jimmy Fund fundraisers include:

• Strike Out Cancer with the Jimmy Fund - Red Sox fans can help strike out cancer all season long. Pledge a donation of any amount for each Red Sox win this season and help the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber defy cancer. Every dollar raised supports extraordinary, compassionate patient care while fueling revolutionary science and new discoveries that give patients everywhere hope for a cancer-free future.
• Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl^® presented by Valvoline Instant Oil Change^SM - The nation’s largest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, will take place at Foxborough’s Patriot Place on Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3. Attendees can sample all of the delicious ice cream and other frozen treats while enjoying live entertainment, games, and more.
• Jimmy Fund Day at Fenway Presented by DraftKings - Help the Jimmy Fund give Dana-Farber patients the chance of a lifetime to bat and field at Boston’s beloved ballpark on June 10. By sending a patient to this year’s event, fans are giving cancer patients an extra special experience, while raising funds for pediatric and adult cancer care and research at Dana-Farber.
• CowParade New England presented by Herb Chambers - A transformative art installation featuring life-size cow sculptures, which are painted and transformed into one-of-a-kind art pieces by a range of artists throughout the region. These cows will be prominently displayed throughout high traffic landmarks around Greater Boston from June 24 - Labor Day weekend.

About the Jimmy Fund

The Jimmy Fund, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023, is comprised of community-based fundraising events and other programs that, solely and directly, benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults. The Jimmy Fund is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge, and the Variety Children's Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow the Jimmy Fund on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @TheJimmyFund.