Jay Leno helps Westborough nonprofit break fundraising record
Photo I Courtesy of DetecTogether
Jay Leno (right) and Vanessa Welch attend DetecTogether's Sweet 16 Gala & Auction.
Westborough-based nonprofit DetecTogether has raised an unprecedented amount of funding for its early cancer detection advocacy through the organization’s Sweet 16 Gala & Auction, headlined by comedian and TV host Jay Leno.
The gala, held on May 31, combined with the DetecTogether’s golf tournament on June 2, raised a total of $1.4 million in support of the nonprofit's expansion of education and training programs to inform the public on how to recognize early cancer warning signs.
Leno, who lost both his parents and his brother to cancer, performed for the gala’s attendees, in a move that helped the organization reach its highest-yet fundraising, Lisa Young, senior director, communications & engagement at DetecTogether, told WBJ.
“Cancer's no joke,” Leno said at the event, which was quoted in a Thursday press release. “But if I can make people laugh while supporting life-saving early detection, I'm in. DetecTogether is changing lives by teaching people how to recognize the warning signs and speak up before it's too late, I'm honored to stand for that."
Leno auctioned off tours of the Big Dog Garage, his private car collection, for every additional $5,000 donation made to the nonprofit. Located in Burbank, California, the garage spans approximately 120,880 square feet, featuring more than 180 cars and 160 motorcycles, Young said.
This year’s events accumulated $200,000 more in donations than the $1.2 million collected in 2024, the now second-most the organization has ever raised.
Founded in 2008, DetecTogether encourages individuals to seek medical guidance through its 3 Steps Detect program. Among those who participated in the training initiative, 82% reported increased confidence navigating the healthcare system and 48% identified a health issue early with 2/3rds of those findings being a cancer diagnosis, according to the release.
In 2023, DetecTogether generated $2.20 million in revenue and held $4.48 million in assets, according to nonprofit financial tracker GuideStar.
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments