Former Red Sox player Brock Holt and NESN anchor Tom Caron named Co-Chairs of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund

Fan favorites and long-time Jimmy Fund supporters to lead the storied Fund to support lifesaving cancer research and care

Tom Caron (left) and Brock Holt (right) are the Co-Chairs of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund

BOSTON, MA – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute today announced Brock Holt and Tom Caron will serve as Co-Chairs of the Jimmy Fund.

As Co-Chairs, Holt and Caron will be the lead ambassadors in the community and public spokespeople on behalf of the Jimmy Fund. They will strengthen relationships with professional sports teams, strategize on fundraising initiatives, and recognize and celebrate the many passionate Jimmy Fund supporters and event participants. Holt and Caron will increase awareness of the importance of philanthropic support for Dana-Farber and highlight the breakthroughs and milestones that Dana-Farber doctors and researchers have achieved and continue working on to find cures and treatments for cancer.

Since 1948, the Jimmy Fund has raised millions of dollars to support adult and pediatric cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Holt, nicknamed “The Brock Star” is a former Major League Baseball utility player who played for the Boston Red Sox (2013–2019). He previously served as the Jimmy Fund Captain from 2015-2019 and has been a long-time supporter of Dana-Farber’s fundraising efforts. Caron has been a member of NESN's Red Sox broadcast team and host of pre- and post-game shows for more than two decades. He has been involved in Jimmy Fund events including the WEEI-NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon for more than 20 years.

“Brock Holt and Tom Caron have been genuine and passionate advocates for the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber for many years,” said Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “Both have tirelessly and selflessly supported the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber patients, along with their families at events and in the community. We are excited to have them Co-Chair the Jimmy Fund, continue to increase awareness of our mission, and make an extraordinary impact on our organization and fundraising programs.”

Other previous Jimmy Fund Chairs include: former Red Sox president and chief executive officer and Worcester Red Sox chairman, the late Larry Lucchino (2016-2024), Red Sox infielder Mike Andrews (1984-2009), legendary broadcaster Ken Coleman (1978-1984) and Bill Koster (1948-1977), known as “Mr. Jimmy Fund” and one of the three founders of the Jimmy Fund.

Larry Lucchino served as Chair of the Jimmy Fund until his passing in April 2024.

“It is an honor to follow in Larry’s footsteps to help grow the storied partnership between the Boston Red Sox and Dana Farber’s Jimmy Fund,” said Holt. “I want to continue to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research and care in any way I can. Some of my earliest memories are coming to Red Sox games as a kid and dropping change in the Jimmy Fund can.” “To be Co-Chair of this incredible philanthropic organization is truly humbling,” said Tom Caron, longtime NESN studio host. “I’ve witnessed the life-saving work done at Dana Farber over the years and have seen the direct impact of fundraising efforts like the Radio-Telethon. I’m also a former patient, after a lymphoma diagnosis in 2015. I can’t wait to work alongside Brock, a tireless advocate of the Jimmy Fund, and help lead the charge to strike out cancer.”

During his baseball career, Holt also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Nationals, and Texas Rangers. After serving as Jimmy Fund Captain, Holt and his wife, Lakyn, remained steadfast supporters of Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. They ran the Boston Marathon ® for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge in 2023, sold T-shirts to raise funds for the Jimmy Fund Clinic, where pediatric patients receive care, and participate in many Jimmy Fund Clinic patient events, virtually and in person, always focusing on promoting the work of Dana-Farber.

For the past 20 years, Caron has been the play-by-play voice of the Beanpot Tournament and has called the network’s college hockey tournament coverage since he joined NESN in 1995. The Lewiston, ME native has also served as a Red Sox field reporter and studio host for Boston Bruins hockey. Prior to NESN, Caron worked at several network affiliates in New England and was the play-by-play voice of the Portland Pirates of the AHL. He was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame in 2014. A thirteen-time New England Emmy Award winner, Caron has been named New England's Favorite Local TV Sports Personality and Reporter a total of eight times by Channel Media Sports Research's New England Sports Survey.

“Brock and Tom have been stalwart supporters of the Jimmy Fund and it is only fitting that they are our new Jimmy Fund Co-Chairs,” said Melany N. Duval, senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Division of Philanthropy and the Jimmy Fund. “Brock and Tom’s dedication to our patients and their families, combined with their deep roots in the Red Sox community and beyond, make them the perfect champions for helping build awareness and raise funds for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund.”

About the Jimmy Fund

The Jimmy Fund 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.

About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of the world’s leading centers of cancer research and treatment. Dana-Farber’s mission is to reduce the burden of cancer through scientific inquiry, clinical care, education, community engagement, and advocacy. Dana-Farber is a federally designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. We provide the latest treatments in cancer for adults through Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center and for children through Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Dana-Farber is the only hospital nationwide with a top 5 U.S. News & World Report Best Cancer Hospital ranking in both adult and pediatric care. As a global leader in oncology, Dana-Farber is dedicated to a unique and equal balance between cancer research and care, translating the results of discovery into new treatments for patients locally and around the world, offering more than 1,100 clinical trials.

Media Contact

For Dana-Farber/The Jimmy Fund

Molly McHale
617-512-8357
Molly_mchale@dfci.harvard.edu