Dunkin' Donuts Raises $800,000 for Cancer Research

Dunkin' Donuts store owners in New England Monday raised just over $800,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund through proceeds generated from the 11th Annual Dunkin' Donuts George Mandell Memorial Golf Tournament and Auction. The event, organized by Dunkin' Donuts Northeast Distribution Center (NEDCP) and held at The International Country Club in Bolton, Massachusetts, is consistently the Jimmy Fund's highest-grossing fund-raising tournament nationwide.

Dunkin' Donuts franchisees and vendors in the Northeast have donated over $7 million to fund the work of "Rising Stars" physicians at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) since the program's inception in 1998. Selected annually by DFCI, "Rising Stars" are doctors leading breakthrough cancer research as yet not backed by federal funding.

"This event is successful every year through the generosity of our franchisees, vendors, Dunkin' Brands, and DCP employees," says David Liguori, tournament chairman and chief operating officer of Dunkin' Donuts National DCP. "Even in a challenging economy these incredible and passionate people come through for the Jimmy Fund. And because the tragedy of cancer is pervasive, we want to contribute in any way that we can to help Dana Farber Cancer Institute battle this insidious disease."

Nancy Rowe, director of the Jimmy Fund Golf Program adds, "The commitment by Dunkin' Donuts is extraordinary and is vitally important to the work of Dana Farber. We are so grateful for their continued devotion to the Jimmy Fund and the priority they give it. It serves as a vivid example of selfless commitment at its best."

More than 200 golfers participated in the tournament and approximately 300 people attended the dinner/auction. Sadly and in an ironic twist of fate, this year's event took on special meaning for the Dunkin' Donuts family with the May 30th passing to cancer of John Henderson; long-time franchisee and driving force behind the annual tournament and support of the Jimmy Fund. An emotional special presentation honoring his legacy highlighted the evening's dinner capped by a sentimental remembrance by Dr. Lee Nadler, senior vice president, experimental medicine at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

The Dunkin' Donuts George Mandell Memorial Golf Tournament began in 1998 in honor of George Mandell, a Dunkin' Donuts franchisee who died of cancer.