Lexus of Watertown, WEEI, NESN Team Up to Fight Childhood Cancer

Massachusetts Lexus Dealer Sponsors Annual Jimmy Fund Telethon

BOSTON, MA (08/12/2010)(readMedia)-- Greater Boston Lexus dealer Lexus of Watertown has returned as a sponsor for the 9th Annual Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, which takes place August 19 and 20 on the WEEI Sports Radio Network and New England Sports Network (NESN). In partnership with the Boston Red Sox, WEEI and NESN will dedicate two days of programming to raising money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

In the 8 years since the telethon began, it has raised more than $21 million for cancer research and patient care at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Past telethon guests include Mike Lowell, Terry Francona, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, Tim Wakefield, Donnie Wahlberg, Stephen King, Lenny Clarke and Dane Cook.

"The Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon is one of the highlights of our year," said Vincent Liuzzi, general manager of Lexus of Watertown. "Dana-Farber is doing some of the most important medical research of our time, research that ultimately benefits millions of children and adults all over the world."

On the morning of August 19, Liuzzi will appear on the Dennis and Callahan show on WEEI to present a donation from the Lexus dealer. His appearance will be part of a two-day telethon on WEEI that will feature interviews and appeals from celebrities, Red Sox players and Dana-Farber patients and staff. NESN will include telethon coverage during its Red Sox broadcasts.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute was created in 1947 by Sidney Farber, MD as the Children's Cancer Research Foundation. In the 1960s, the foundation's mission grew to include adult cancer patients, and the hospital became a pioneer in cancer research and treatment. In 1983, the name changed to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to recognize continuing support from the Charles A. Dana Foundation.

The Jimmy Fund was founded in 1948 to provide support for the young patients at Dana-Farber. Red Sox owner Thomas Yawkey made the Jimmy Fund the official charity of the Red Sox in 1953, starting the longest-running partnership between a charity and a professional sports team in the United States.

Today, the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana-Farber is recognized globally as a leading research and treatment center for childhood cancer. Since the late 1980s, the clinic has cured two of every three children who arrive for treatment.

"We encourage everyone to join us in supporting the mission, the patients and the researchers at the Jimmy Fund," Liuzzi said. "It isn't often that you get a chance to save lives thousands of miles away simply by making a donation close to home."

About Lexus of Watertown:

Lexus of Watertown is Boston's premier Lexus dealer. They have a huge selection of new Lexus models and Certified Pre-Owned Lexus vehicles, in addition to an exemplary service department that keeps customers coming back. Easily accessible from MetroWest, the North Shore and the South Shore, Lexus of Watertown is just minutes off the Mass Pike between Route 128 and Route 93. For more information, visit them online at www.lexusofwatertown.com, call them at 888.227.9719, or stop by their showroom at 330 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA.