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Supporting The Jimmy Fund and The Dana-Farber Institute.

100% of the boat entry fees go directly to the Jimmy Fund.

Got ideas on how to make this a Great Event? Email us at support@bostonparadeoflights.com.

You can donate your time or any special skill set or become a financial sponsor by making a tax deductible donation. You may choose to get listed as an event sponsor or remain anonymous.
Denotation Information Here

The Jimmy Fund started in 1948 when the Variety Club of New England (now the Variety Children’s Charity of New England) and the Boston Braves baseball team joined forces to help a 12-year-old cancer patient dubbed “Jimmy.” On a national radio broadcast, millions heard the boy visit with his heroes from the Braves as they stood by his hospital bed. Contributions poured in from people everywhere, launching an effort that continues to bring hope to thousands of children and adults facing cancer throughout the world. The efforts of hundreds of thousands of dedicated Jimmy Fund supporters continue to allow The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to make remarkable progress in the fight against cancer.

We Were Inspired by A Local Story of Our Own.
A young boater and her name is Melissa Kameras.

This is Melissa's story:

“To me the Jimmy Fund has been a home and a family for the past two years. When I was 14, I was diagnosed with cancer. When people hear the word cancer they think of death. Well, that was certainly one of the things that popped into my mind but some others were “why me” and “I’m too young”.

Childhood cancer is very rare until you walk into the Jimmy Fund and find a whole new family. It was and still is a way of life that only certain people get to live. I started in June with my first treatment. Going in feeling great and going out great, but tired. By the time July hit I was dreading Tuesdays.

I would slowly take my pre-medicines and by the time I got my first injection I was sick. In August, I had what started as a normal chemo Tuesday except this one I had to go in for tests. I went in for the gallium scan. I met with my nurse before I got my chemo and got the best news. My cancer was gone.

That means that I still had my tumor but it was dead! By the time September came, it was like I was climbing up a steep hill almost at the climax. My tumor was almost completely gone and I had two more months of chemo.

I might have had one of the worst birthdays ever having to sit in the hospital bed getting chemo but it was unforgettable. I guess I might be one of the only 15 year olds lucky enough to say I was bald at my party. At this time, I was halfway to succeeding my goal.

I had a month left of chemo and 24 days of radiation. This was considered the home stretch as my dad would say, meaning I was almost done. It was the beginning of December when I started radiation. I thought this would be breeze except when I became sick because my white blood cells dropped very low.

I reached my goal on the day I got my port-a-cath removed. That meant there was no more use for it. This day might have been the most memorable day because I conquered my goal!

At the Jimmy Fund, children are given treatment for all different types of cancers. There’s playrooms decorated with fish tanks to liven the rooms up. When I went to clinic, I would hang out with the famous Lisa Scherber where I did some arts and crafts or took out some DVDs to watch while getting treatment.

I remember once last year when I was sitting in the waiting room to draw blood and this tall guy came up to me holding his hand out and said, "Hi I'm Julio Lugo. Nice to meet you." I was in shock. I first had to ask my dad who that is. Of course, he was already chasing him down asking him for a autograph saying he’s from the Boston Red Soxs.

I've had many other encounters with the Red Soxs before since they visit the clinic often. The Jimmy Fund takes the teens on trips letting them relate to one another and feel like kids again. We have gone to spring training a few times in Atlanta and Detroit to watch our favorite baseball team play and meet them. I can tell you there was never a dull moment.

My dad is very thankful that I’m still alive. He joined a fundraiser committee up at DFCI to help with fundraiser's.” 

We invite you to help support this great cause by supporting the "Parade of Lights" event this Summer in Boston.

We welcome your support in our Parade of Lights on Boston harbor. Register now to save your spot in our 1st Annual Parade of Lights on Boston Harbor.

Or Contact Us to find out different ways your company can participate.

And of course all donations are greatly appreciated. Request that we contact you on how you can help.