About Our New England Cancer Organization

Our Mission

The Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF) is a registered 501(C)(3) non-profit organization committed to providing help, hope, and a reason to smile, for New England cancer patients and their families by contributing financial support when it is needed most.

Because patients and families must often devote all of their energy and resources towards battling the disease, the Foundation helps alleviate financial and emotional stress by providing grants to assist with rent/mortgage payments, utilities, and other household expenses. This relief allows the Foundation’s grant recipients to focus on their fight against cancer and not on the financial distress that comes with it.

(Up)Beat Cancer

(Up)Beat Cancer is our rally-cry, expressing what we stand for: fun, full of laughter and happiness. Upbeat. Inspired by Joe and Jen Andruzzi’s appreciation for the resounding positivity of individuals and families fighting cancer, JAF is committed to helping patients live joyfully. We truly believe that laughter can, at times, be the best medicine, and that patients benefit immensely from getting out of the hospital and taking their minds off their illness—because we know there is more to life than worrying about cancer.

Thank you for your support during this trying time in my life. The fight has been rough; however, organizations like JAF give us hope.

– Patient Recipient

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Joe Andruzzi Foundation differ from other cancer-related charities?

The majority of services allocated by the Joe Andruzzi Foundation are distributed through JAF’s Financial Assistance Program, which provides one-time grants to cancer patients in active treatment, allowing them to focus on recovery. The program does not help patients with the cost of medical expenses or prescriptions, nor does it pay money directly to applicants or family members—there are several charitable organizations that specialize in those specific areas. Instead, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation focuses its assistance on protecting a weak spot many patients and their families are blindsided by: the reality that bills and household expenses don’t go on hold just because of a cancer diagnosis.

Because of this, JAF’s Financial Assistance Program is dedicated to providing financial support to patients and families so they can focus on recovery—not bills. Specifically, the program is designed to assist patients with rent/mortgage payments, utilities, and other household expenses. All prospective cancer patients and families seeking financial assistance from JAF must be vetted by, and apply through, a social worker—and all funding is mailed to the patient with checks written directly to the service providers.

Who does the Joe Andruzzi Foundation serve?

The Joe Andruzzi Foundation serves patients of all ages throughout New England who have fallen on financial and emotional hardships as a result of a cancer diagnosis. In many cases, these patients and/or family members are unable to work because of declining health and treatment. The Joe Andruzzi Foundation understands that crucial living expenses are not put on hold because of a diagnosis, and the Financial Assistance Program specifically targets and fulfills patients who are struggling to make ends meet.

How does the Joe Andruzzi Foundation select it’s grant recipients?

All Joe Andruzzi Foundation Financial (JAF) Assistance Program grant applicants must complete an online application through a social worker, resource specialist, patient navigator, or healthcare advocate. Applications must be submitted directly to the JAF by one of these types of healthcare professionals through our online portal. Once received, each application is vetted by JAF’s Programs Manager who confirms validity/eligibility and assess/determines the grant amount. A final decision is reached within 3-5 weeks of receipt of the application (to the social worker), and distributions are mailed to the patient via checks written directly to the service providers for which the grant is serving.

How else does the Joe Andruzzi Foundation support the cancer community?

(Up)Beat Opportunities

The Joe Andruzzi Foundation believes patients and their families can greatly benefit from the relief of cancer’s financial and emotional burdens, which, in turn, allows them to focus on what really matters: getting better and enjoying life.

At the forefront of JAF’s (Up)Beat Cancer mantra is the Foundation’s ongoing series of (Up)Beat Opportunities—events and gatherings organized to help take patients’ minds off of treatment, even if just for an afternoon.

Many of the families attending JAF (Up)Beat Opportunities are battling through extraordinary circumstances, and being mentally removed – like a family boating experience out on Boston Harbor, or an afternoon at Fenway Park cheering on the home team – provides our patients and families with much-needed opportunities to relax and smile.

What is the Joe Andruzzi Foundation’s primary source(s) of revenue?

The Joe Andruzzi Foundation has an active constituency made up of 20,000+ supporters. JAF has a loyal following who supports the Foundation’s mission on an ongoing basis, as well as through multiple fundraising avenues, including two major annual events: The Joe Andruzzi & Friends Golf Tournament (June) and The Gratitude Gala (November).

Both are underwritten with support from key sponsors. The Foundation also raises funds through its “Team JAF” running events, including the Boston Marathon, Falmouth Road Race, and previously the New York City Half Marathon.

About Us