In September of 2006, Red Sox rookie Jon Lester was diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, a treatable form of cancer. Four Boston-area college students, Amanda, Christine, Kayte & Casey were deeply touched by this diagnosis.
The girls decided to make silicone awareness bracelets in honor of Jon and his fight to beat cancer. With the proceed from the bracelets, we will donate to The Jimmy Fund in Jon's name, as the Red Sox are very involved with the Jimmy Fund, a foundation that raises money for individuals with all forms of cancer.
In January of 2007, the girls were invited to sell their bracelets at a Jimmy Fund sponsored event at Jillian's, "New Stars for Young Stars" where Red Sox stars Craig Hansen, Clay Buchholz, Jonathan and Josh Papelbon, Lenny DiNardo, Manny Delcarmen, Dave Pauley and Curt Schilling came out to meet with fans in support of The Jimmy Fund.
The 2007 season brought exciting times for The Lester Project, as Jon made his first start in the big leagues after returning from his rehab starts against the Cleveland Indians. Supporters from around the country bought bracelets, inspired by Jon's courageous comeback. Additionally, the Jimmy Fund invited the girls to sell bracelets at Jon's first home start against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and at the Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon. Through August of 2008, the girls had raised almost $55,000.
The Jimmy Fund also held the New Stars Event again in 2008, with "young stars" such as Justin Masterson, Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, Ryan Kalish, Nick Hagadone and Bubba Bell greeting with fans at Jillians.
To date, the four of us have raised over $58,000 for the Jimmy Fund, and are proud to continue our quest to help strike out cancer.
Since September of 2006, the Lester Project has been featured in the Boston Herald, the Boston Globe, The Hartford Courant, The Seattle Times, on NESN, NECN and WBZTV as well as featured in an article in the USA Today and on FoxNews.com.
In May of 2008, we teamed with Sully's Tees to create a "no-hitter" commemorative shirt. All of the proceeds from the sales of this t-shirt go directly to The Lester Project.
We are working closely with the Jimmy Fund and various other sources to present "The Lester Project Presents: Comedy for a Cure" at The Estate in Boston on July 9th. Look on here for bulletins and more information as it becomes available!
Just a quick note, we're not Jon Lester! While we're flattered that you guys are sending us such sweet messages of support, we don't have any way to get them to Jon at this time.
Special thanks to Jeff Horrigan, Ryan Asselta, Dan Roche, Gordon Edes, Tina Cervasio, Tom Caron, Jeff Goldberg and Larry Stone for all of their support since the beginning of this project!
Feel free to add the following banner to your myspace to help promote us!
Who I'd like to meet:
We'd love who meet anyone who wants to help fight cancer! But we also wouldn't mind meeting Dice-K and David Ortiz. ;)
Again i have to say how much i appreciate your cause and support. Uncle johnny just finished up his last round of chemo and so far things look positive. I really hope you continue your cause and hope you pray for jonathan and johnny's complete wellness. God bless. And also i have been supporting other causes because of your's and my cousin, and uncle's inspiration.
I just found out last week I have NODULAR SCLEROSING HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA and I am scared!!! I know that it isn't the worst and the success rate for treatment is great for those with HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA so I am keeping a positive attitude. I am still scared. If Jon can get through it so can I! Thank you for this page! ~Stefanie Salem, MA
thanks for your incredible work + passion for helping those battling cancer-- wanted to let you know that you are in our top friends... you are a wonderful group + we are proud to have connected with you!
Thanks for accepting me. I just found out I have a form of Hodgkin's Lymphma and my mom had actually bought one of your bracelets before we found out so I wear it everyday. I watch John Lester and am just amazed at how he looks and how he got through treatment and it makes me happy because I know I will be fine...Thank you for starting this page!!! ~Stefanie from Salem, MA
As Yankees fan i must say I am VERY proud of Lester. very proud of him. He is a wonderful guy and I sat and watched this game and toward the end I started getting nervous for him! recording his conference right now <3
I have to give my blessings to your site. I remember when our family got news jonathan had lymphoma. We all prayed.. And i found your Myspace supporting his cause. What you have done for him is certainly a blessing for our family... Jon is very special to our whole family and i think i can speak for us all, THANK YOU.! He has overcome his challenge and will continue, i believe, to keep up his dream and not only please his team, family, and fans. But also continue to do his all to stay healthy and proud... Thank you again for supporting my cousin.
it's going to be great to see Lester get the chance right out of the gate as a SP with the Sox this year. I am a Yankees fan but no doubt..I am always pulling this guy to succeed in everything he ever does.
Congratulations to you, Jon, and the Red Sox ... just an amazing season. Looking forward to watching you in the regular rotation for the Sox next year!
