Eight Decades of Partnership, One Shared Dream

Historic $50 Million Investment in Hope, Healing, and the Future of Cancer Care

The Yawkey Foundation is honored to have made this historic $50 million grant to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — the largest in our Foundation’s history, and one that reflects the deepest convictions of our founders, Jean and Tom Yawkey.

Tom Yawkey’s relationship with Dr. Sidney Farber — and his belief, absolute and personal, that the Children’s Cancer Research Foundation represented one of the most important endeavors of his lifetime — laid the foundation for a partnership that has endured for more than 75 years. Jean Yawkey carried that commitment forward with equal dedication, and the Foundation that bears their name has continued that work ever since. That commitment took many forms: Tom used the Red Sox and Fenway Park as a platform for the cause, forging one of the first partnerships between a professional sports team and a cancer research institution — and the Foundation remains the presenting sponsor of the Jimmy Fund Little League program to this day.

Cancer touches virtually every family in some way. The urgency of that reality is precisely why this grant matters so deeply. With this investment, Dana-Farber can continue to lead New England and the world in transforming the future of cancer research and care. The naming of The Jean and Tom Yawkey Bridge — connecting Dana-Farber’s outpatient Yawkey Center for Cancer Care to the planned 300-inpatient-bed future cancer hospital — is a fitting tribute to two people who believed, from the very beginning, that a future without the fear and burden of cancer was possible.

There is no more meaningful way to honor the Yawkey legacy than by helping make that possible.

Ted Williams, Tom Yawkey and Sidney Farber, MD

Read Press Release

A Legacy of Hope and Partnership

For more than 70 years, the Yawkey family and the Yawkey Foundation have partnered with Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund to advance cancer research, patient care, and hope for generations of families.

1953

This 10-foot-tall baseball served as a Jimmy Fund collection box in the charity's early days. Fans "voted" for their favorite players by putting coins into the slots by that player's name. All the money benefited the Jimmy Fund.

circa 1950s

Early Jimmy Fund collection can

1953

Tom and Jean Yawkey designate the Jimmy Fund as the official charity of the Boston Red Sox after the Boston Braves move to Milwaukee.

1954

Tom Yawkey is elected to serve as a Trustee of the Children’s Cancer Research Foundation, now known as Dana-Farber and The Jimmy Fund, founded by Dr. Sidney Farber.

1960–1976

Tom Yawkey serves as President and later Chairman of the Board.

1960

Jimmy Fund Chairman Bill Koster, Institute Founder Sidney Farber, MD, and Boston Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey (pictured left to right) were instrumental in the early growth of the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

1960

Left to right: Baseball and fundraising hero Ted Williams in his last season with the Red Sox, with Boston Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute founder Sidney Farber, MD. All played a key role in Dana-Farber's early growth.

1966

When Red Sox great Ted Williams (left) was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966, fans gave gifts to the Jimmy Fund in his honor -- after which he was presented with a special plaque bearing their names. Here with Williams are Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey (center) and Jimmy Fund Executive Director Bill Koster (right). Williams was willing to go anywhere, any time for the Jimmy Fund during and after his playing career. (Courtesy of Bill Nowlin)

1966

Jean Yawkey presents Ted Williams with a plaque honoring the people who gave to the Jimmy Fund in honor of his Hall of Fame induction.

1967

Members of the Red Sox' Impossible Dream team donate a portion of their World Series earnings to the Jimmy Fund.

1970

Fenway Park in Boston is best known for the Green Monster—its 37-foot-high left-field wall. Most New Englanders, however, were also well acquainted with another spot in the old ballpark, the right-field sign raising awareness of the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber.

1971

Board Chairman Tom Yawkey participates in the cornerstone ceremony for the building that would become the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

1976

Jean Yawkey joins the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Board of Trustees, deepening the family's commitment.

1979

The Thomas A. and Jean R. Yawkey Memorial Award honors individuals who have shown tremendous commitment to the Jimmy Fund. In 1979, Jean Yawkey presented the first award to Red Sox outfielder Carl Yastrzemski (left).

early 1980s

Jim Rice was named Honorary Chairman of the Jimmy Fund in 1979 and carried on the legacy established by fellow Red Sox superstar left-fielders Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski.

1984

Presentation of the Yawkey Awards. From left to right, Chairman of the Jimmy Fund, Ken Coleman, Johnny Pesky, Jean Yawkey, Carl Yastrzemski, Billy Sullivan.

1988

Dan Murphy (right) celebrates his 1988 Yawkey Award distinction with (left to right) son Dan III, former Jimmy Fund Chairman Ken Coleman, and then-Boston Red Sox owner Jean R. Yawkey. Murphy sold Christmas trees to benefit the Jimmy Fund for over 40 years.

1989

For many years the Jimmy Fund billboard was the only advertisement Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey allowed in his ballpark. The images changed a bit over the years, but the message remained the same: this is “Jimmy’s” team.

1990

Installation of a plaque honoring Tom Yawkey's foundational contributions to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute outside the Thomas A. Yawkey Laboratories on the dedication day.

1990

On May 19, 1990, the Thomas A. Yawkey Laboratories were dedicated in the Jimmy Fund Building at Dana-Farber. Jean Yawkey pictured fourth from left.

1999

Ted Williams and Dom DiMaggio, during Ted’s last visit to Dana-Farber. Taken in front of the 406 Club case, where donors who made a special gift to the Jimmy Fund could autograph a baseball to be put on display. Pictured Left to right - Ted Williams, John Harrington, and Dom Dimaggio.

2007

Groundbreaking for the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Left to right: Jimmy Fund Chairman Mike Andrews, Yawkey Foundation Trustees Bill Gutfarb and President James Healey, DFCI Board Chairman Gary Countryman, President Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, and his wife, Peggy Vettese, RN, PhD, Yawkey Trustee Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond, and Robert Frasca.

2009

Ironworkers recognizing the generosity of the Yawkey Foundation on a beam in the future Yawkey Center for Cancer Care

2011

President of the Yawkey Foundation, James Healey, cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care at Dana-Farber.

2012

Yawkey Center for Cancer Care facade with Dana-Farber logo as seen from Brookline Avenue.

2015

View of the Thomas A. Yawkey Research Laboratories signage from Jimmy Fund Way

2026

The Yawkey Foundation’s historic $50 million grant to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will help advance a 300-bed, next-generation cancer hospital designed to transform patient care, accelerate groundbreaking research, and shape the future of oncology. The project will also feature the Jean and Tom Yawkey Bridge, honoring an eight-decade partnership that has profoundly influenced cancer research, treatment, and patient support.

2026

Celebrating a historic partnership and transformational investment in the future of cancer care. Pictured (left to right): Dr. Benjamin L. Ebert, President and CEO, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Alicia Verity, CEO, Yawkey Foundation; John L. Harrington, Chairman, Yawkey Foundation; and Joshua Bekenstein, Chair of the Board, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.