We are incredibly proud to share that in 2025, The Willie Fund donated a total of $100,000 to Mass Eye and Ear, part of Mass General Brigham in Boston, in support of Head and Neck Cancer Research. In addition to the $100,000 raised and donated by The Willie Fund, a longstanding donation-match partnership with Mass Eye and Ear increased the total contribution to $133,000 in support of head and neck cancer research.
As we mark our fourth year of giving, our total amount raised and donated to Mass Eye and Ear now reaches $246,000 since our founding. This has been made possible entirely through the generosity of our supporters. The continued support we receive year after year is a powerful reminder of how much Willie was loved, and how present his memory remains.
A significant portion of this year’s fundraising came from our participation as an charity team in the 2025 ASICS Falmouth Road Race, where The Willie Fund team runners, donors, and supporters helped us raise just over $51,000. Watching our community rally around this event every year—running in memory, in honor, and in hope—is a powerful reminder of what can happen when people come together for a shared purpose.
Beyond the Road Race, we were deeply moved by the steady stream of donations we received throughout the year. Many arrived during especially meaningful moments – Willie’s birthday in March, and again near the anniversary of his passing in August – and serve as quiet reminders that his story, and the mission inspired by it, continues to resonate with so many.
Mass Eye and Ear holds a very personal place in our family’s story as this is where my dad received care. We’re honored to continue supporting the clinicians and researchers advancing critical work in head and neck cancer—some of whom treated him directly.
While The Willie Fund is small relative to the scale of the work being done, I am deeply honored that we can play a role—however modest—in supporting research that improves outcomes, extends lives, and moves us closer to better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Partnering with Mass Eye and Ear allows us to honor my dad’s legacy in a way that feels both meaningful and impactful.
As we look back on 2025, we do so with immense gratitude and growing excitement for what lies ahead. The impact we’re able to make each year is a direct reflection of our community—friends, family, runners, donors, and partners—who continue to show up in Willie’s name.
As we enter 2026, we are energized, hopeful, and committed. Stay tuned for new ways to get involved and future opportunities to support The Willie Fund as we continue to grow and evolve.
Thank you for standing with us, for remembering Willie, and for helping ensure that his legacy continues to support lifesaving research at Mass Eye and Ear.
We’re just getting started.
Make an impact. Donate to The Willie Fund to support head and neck cancer research.
