FUnding the future
This section is dedicated to the institutions and the people that make futures like the one I now have possible. Cancer research is astronomically expensive. Please consider donating, volunteering, or providing any other type of support to any of these institutions that speak to you.
Jimmy Fund
Bob’s Motivation: The Jimmy Fund is the primary fundraising operation for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the reality is that I would simply not be alive today without the Jimmy Fund raising donations from people like you that led to the discovery of the complex treatment plan ( a version of which you can find here) that my Care Team proposed and delivered successfully to me. You can read more about my walks in Milestones as well as in the Metrowest Daily News Article summarizing my interview with Tim Dumas in 2025.
Mission: For over 75 years, the Jimmy Fund has advanced Dana-Farber’s mission of providing exceptional patient care and conducting lifesaving research that benefits cancer patients around the corner and across the world. (Note: Bio borrowed from Jimmy Fund)
BBC23 Underdogs Jimmy Fund Walk Team: I have been proud to walk in the Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber with members of my family since 2024 (raising over $14,000 so far) and look forward to my 3rd walk captaining the BBC23 Underdogs on October 4, 2026, with a goal to exceed an additional $10,000 in funds raised for cancer research this year. Would love your help getting there.
Fundraiser Event: Excited to announce my first Fundraiser in Holliston, MA, on September 13, 2026. Learn More.
Why Underdogs? Everyone loves an underdog story, and I can’t help but feel like I embody an underdog since my initial CNS Lymphoma diagnosis in 2023. More specifically, I would give credit to the below for inspiring the name and identity of our walk team:
Eagles Super Bowl LII Run in 2017-2018
I waited for 40 years for the Eagles to win their first Super Bowl, but I think they were just waiting for our son to be born since he came home from the hospital just in time for kickoff against the Falcons for their 15-10 Win. 22 days later, they hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. It has certainly made it easier to raise him as an Eagles fan (Go Birds!) in the Boston suburbs.
That season, the Eagles fully embraced the Underdog mentality.
In Jason Kelce’s iconic Super Bowl Parade Speech, he shouted “dog” or “underdog” at least 10 times with the most famous quote being "An underdog is a hungry dog, and hungry dogs run faster." That was a mentality that former OL Coach Stoutland inspired, and the team embraced it alongside the Philly fan base. Jason went on to launch Underdog Apparel, which donates profits from their sales to benefit the Be Philly Foundation (empowering Philadelphia’s youth with educational and economic opportunities).
Note: Parental discretion advised for language on the Super Bowl speech clip
Welcome to Wrexham
I started following the Wrexham football (soccer) team in 2021 when fellow St Joe’s Prep ‘95 classmate Rob Mac (then McElhenney) bought the team with Ryan Reynolds. I started watching the team as well as the award-winning FX Series Welcome to Wrexham, and I couldn’t help but fully buy in to the team, the town, and their Underdog story. The ability to watch the matches on my laptop during my hospital stays brought my some joy at a time when I desperately needed it.
If you haven’t seen the show, check out the FX Welcome to Wrexham Promo Video from 2022. It will give you a good sense of the Underdog theme.
Note: Parental discretion advised for language on the Welcome to Wrexham video clip
Underdog Sports: I have been playing in friend and family fantasy football leagues since the early 90s. During early COVID, I started to draft online when Underdog launched in 2020 and got to know folks in the fantasy football community online. The team at Underdog blew me away by donating $3,000 to my initial Jimmy Fund Walk, so it only seemed fitting that our Walk Team carry on the name we already had planned.
Rocky - I was born and raised in Philly suburbs. Need I Say More? I mean checkout this montage.
Expect miracles foundation (EMF):
Bob’s Motivation: I started attending the EMF Gala and other events back in 2011 when I first moved to Boston. Fast forward to 2024, and I gave the keynote speech sharing my cancer journey and helped raise $80,000 in the live appeal (read more here). I also volunteer for EMF.
Mission: Since EMF’s inception in 1995, they have been tirelessly working to transform lives affected by cancer. With a resolute spirit and a mission to inspire hope, they are proud to have awarded over $25 million in grants to support groundbreaking cancer research and provide financial assistance to those on their journey towards healing following their cancer treatment. (Note: Bio borrowed from EMF)
Helpful Links:
Get Involved by keeping up with their News and Events
Consider “making a miracle” by donating or “sponsoring hope” by becoming a corporate sponsor - Learn More How Here
Why Private Funding Matters:
Global oncology drug spending reached $288 billion in 2025, with costs projected to rise to $441 billion by 2029. The United States accounts for 46% of this spending, highlighting the tremendous economic strain of cancer treatment and the urgent need for private research funding with Federal budgets on cancer research under pressure. For more details, visit the IQVIA Institute.