Tom Caron has been with NESN for 20 years. The network has partnered with WEEI to host the Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon for 14 years.
This year, however, the special event takes on a new meaning for the longtime NESN host.
Caron revealed to The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaugnessy in an article published Saturday that he was diagnosed with cancer in April. He had a mass removed from his chest in late March, and on April 10, he learned it had tested positive for lymphoma.
TC admitted it was a very scary moment, but he immediately sought the help of the Jimmy Fund, which set him up with the Dana-Farber Cancer Insitute. As always, Dana-Farber delivered, putting him through a series of tests before officially declaring him cancer-free.
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Caron still needs to be checked twice a year, and he has been told there’s a 50-50 chance the cancer could return. With the telethon right around the corner and TC set to anchor NESN’s coverage once again, he says he is approaching this year’s event with a whole new outlook.
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“This is my 14th telethon,” Caron told The Globe. “For years, I’ve sat there hearing people share their stories and hearing what a great place Dana-Farber is. We always talk about how everyone is touched by this cause. It’s absolutely more personal for me now.
“Something like this happens and you go from the scariest time of your life to the most reassuring time of your life because you’ve got the best people in the world on your side. For 14 years I’ve been talking about what they do there, and now I’ve lived it. I get it more now.”
The telethon kicks off Aug. 18 and should feature plenty of inspirational stories. This year, Caron’s will be right there with them.
Check out the video above to hear more from TC, who again shared his story on “Red Sox First Pitch.”
