World-class skaters to headline upcoming Jimmy Fund benefit

Top Olympic and world ice skaters will join in the battle against cancer this weekend as they gather at Harvard for the annual “An Evening With Champions” exhibition Oct. 6-7 at Bright Hockey Center. Friday’s show (Oct. 6) begins at 8 p.m. and Saturday’s show (Oct. 7) starts at 7 p.m.

Marking the 37th exhibition performance to benefit the Jimmy Fund, skating stars past and present will take to the ice to raise awareness and financial support for pediatric cancer aid and research. Since its inception, the student-run event has raised more than $2.3 million.

“An Evening With Champions 2006” will feature Oksana Baiul (Oct. 6 only) and Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, all of whom are veterans of the show. Emily Hughes, Matt Savoie, the Haydenettes, Ludilla and Oleg Protopopov, and many more world-class and local skaters are also scheduled to participate. Harvard graduate and 1992 Olympic silver medalist Paul Wylie (class of ’90) will host the show.

Founded in 1948 to raise funds for the fight against children’s cancer, the Jimmy Fund supports the search for new cancer treatments for both adults and children at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world-renowned pioneer in discovering and developing innovative and effective cancer therapies.

Tickets are $32 for adults and $12 for children and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Harvard Box Office at (617) 496-2222, or visiting the Web site http://www.aneveningwithchampions.org. Special rates are also available for groups of 10 or more. Contact Angela Ying at (617) 493-8172 for more information.