Jimmy Fund Trip to Red Sox Spring Training Sadly Canceled Due to Coronavirus Worries

For the better part of 67 years, the Boston Red Sox have built a strong relationship with the Jimmy Fund Clinic, which sets up outpatient care for children dealing with pediatric cancer. Every year since 2003, patients travel down to Fort Myers, Fla. to visit the Red Sox spring training facility.

Unfortunately, Jimmy Fund director of patient and family programs Lisa Scherber announced on Wednesday the trip has been cancelled due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.

While this trip is cancelled to secure the safety of their patients, Scherber plans to reschedule it for this upcoming September.

The Red Sox adopted the Jimmy Fund as the organization's official charity back in 1953, as the clinic is located at the local Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Ever since, the Red Sox have sponsored their annual Pan Mass Challenge bike-a-thon and held an annual telethon to raise funds for the clinic.

Major League Baseball is implementing an internal task force to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, and has provided protocol to the 30 teams in the league. Suggestions by the league include opening communication lines to public health authority and local infectious-disease specialists, recommending they don't autograph baseballs for fans, and to ensure that every individual has received the latest flu vaccination.

No games will be cancelled, according to the league.