Every year, thousands of runners line up in Woods Hole ready to traverse the seven-mile seaside journey of the annual Falmouth Road Race. It’s a race Connor Colombo will be running for the fourth time, but this time will be different. Connor is running for a charity for the first time this year and doing so as a member of Team JAF.
Like so many, Connor grew up going to Falmouth in the summers, watching the runners on race day. But it was when he started dating his girlfriend Kathryn, also a member of Team JAF this year, that he started running the race annually with her family. It’s spurred other runs for Connor, but to him, Falmouth is unique.
“The race itself is like no other race I run. The views are amazing, and it’s in the summer. The people and the energy are cool, and the finish line area is entertaining. So when it comes to the enjoyment of it, it’s by far the most fun and the most crowd-influenced. Falmouth is the one where the cheers motivate me, and it brings a lot of energy.”
Connor had run with a non-charity bib his first three years but was looking for a cause to run for this year. Growing up in New England, he had known Joe Andruzzi from his days as a Patriot, but after learning more about the mission of the Foundation, Connor found a strong connection.
Connor and his family have seen firsthand the toll a cancer diagnosis can take. Two years ago, Connor’s father was diagnosed with stage four testicular cancer. As his dad had insurance, costs and finances weren’t a huge problem at first. But as treatments went on for a year, and things weren’t improving as much as they hoped, other trial-based treatments were being considered. Fortunately, Connor’s father improved and they didn’t need to worry about additional expenses.
“As a family, we saw first-hand how the costs of some treatment could have been overwhelming for someone who didn’t have insurance. I can only imagine the difficult decisions families have to make – making heartbreaking choices because insurance wouldn’t cover some of the specialized, almost trial-based therapies that might be necessary.”
But it showed Connor a window into the decision-making process that can hamper so many families.
“Knowing that people may have to make decisions on things because they don’t have enough financial support for their personal lives, like food, rent, car payments, that kind of stuff, made me realize that not everyone’s as lucky as my parents were.”
Connor started his Falmouth Road Race fundraising by reaching out to his internal network. Many people were willing to support Connor. And one of the most essential pieces that Connor appreciates about JAF is knowing exactly where the money is going.
“I know that the money I’m raising is going into someone’s pocket to help them financially, who is going through tough times and battling cancer as well. Knowing people who go through those financial issues, who are even getting very curable treatments, but their household expenses are extremely challenging for them. And I want to support that cost specifically.”
We are all so glad Connor and his family’s cancer journey had a happy ending. The Foundation is so grateful that Connor understands the unique role JAF serves in the nonprofit cancer space and has chosen to pay it forward for those who may not be so fortunate.
Connor’s story is just one of 50 runners who have dedicated themselves to running the Falmouth Road Race on Sunday, August 17, on behalf of the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. To see the entire team roster, CLICK HERE.
