Actor John Krasinski raises $500K for Boston-based cancer charity

BOSTON — Actor John Krasinski celebrated his 40th birthday by helping raise more than a half-million dollars for a Boston-based charity near and dear to his heart.

The Newton native posted a video on Twitter and Instagram on his birthday, October 20, begging his fans and fellow celebrities for donations to Family Reach, a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to families fighting cancer.

Krasinski brought in the big guns to help his cause, tweeting fellow celebrities Ellen Degeneres, Chris Pratt, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, to name a few.

Family Reach CEO Carla Tardif stopped by the Boston 25 News studio Tuesday to announce Krasinski’s campaign raised a staggering $500,000.

“Families really get upside down and it affects their ability to access care and adhere to treatment, so as you can imagine, this is really going to help us reach a lot more families,” Tardif said.

Tardif also explained how the campaign had a profound effect of families coping with cancer.

“One family we helped because of it said, ‘I cried like a baby when I heard they were going to help me because I didn't know how I was going to get through this week,’” Tardif explained.

Krasinski's birthday may be over, but he's not done helping Family Reach. He and his wife, actress Emily Blunt, are spearheading Family Reach's holiday campaign.

To learn more about Family Reach or to donate to the organization, click here.

Cox Media Group