In November 2019, Christian Fauria, former New England Patriot and current co-host of the OMF show on WEEI 93.7 FM, broadcasted live for 25 hours straight with the goal of raising $25,000 for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). This special 25 for 25K radiothon event was especially powerful, as Fauria has a personal connection to the cause—his son had been diagnosed with diabetes earlier in the year.
Special guests throughout the 25 hours included New England Sport icons, Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, Dont’a Hightower, Larry Bird, Bobby Orr, Alex Guerrero, Rex Ryan, Matt Hasselbeck and Ray Allen. Fauria was also joined by local campers from ADA Camp Carefree in New Hampshire, Dr. Lori Laffel from Joslin Diabetes Center and ADA’s own Senior Vice President of Government Affairs & Advocacy, Dr. LaShawn McIver, Camp Director Alicia Harper and New England Executive Director Susan Sarro.
The initial goal of the event was to raise $25,000 for diabetes programs, advocacy and research, and Fauria surpassed that shortly after 6:00 p.m.—so he decided to raise the goal to $40,000. Well, he passed that, too—so up his goal went to $60,000. Then it went up to $75,000, and with minutes left to go, Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr pledged a donation that pushed the total raised to over $100,000! Fauria closed out the first ever 25 for 25 with a locker room-style celebration, complete with champagne and confetti cannons!
In addition to the funds raised, the 25 for 25 helped raise awareness of diabetes in New England and beyond. Parents and family members contacted the American Diabetes Association asking for more information on diabetes camp, Audacy staff shared their stories and personal connections with diabetes and people were amplifying the message across social media, sharing how the radiothon changed their perception of diabetes.
Watch WEEI FM's Video Recap from 2019
