Ella Schwarz has always spent her summers in Falmouth, Massachusetts. The house where her family stays each year sits directly along the Falmouth Road Race course, and even her summer job is located on the route. Growing up, Ella watched thousands of runners make their way past her house each August, and this year, she decided it was finally time to join them.
Ella and her boyfriend signed up for the race together and began searching for a charity that held personal meaning. For Ella, choosing the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF) was an easy decision.
When asked why she wanted to run for Team JAF, Ella reflected on her family’s firsthand experience with cancer. Growing up alongside her two siblings, she watched her mother navigate a breast cancer diagnosis while raising three children as a single parent. Through that experience, Ella learned just how challenging a cancer diagnosis can be, not only for the patient but for the entire family.
“I think it’s really important to support JAF because no one should fight cancer alone. No one should be stressed about paying bills or wondering what their next meal will be. I think not letting people fight alone is the biggest part of it. That’s what really touches me and why I want to run for JAF.”
When it came time to fundraise, Ella connected with family and friends through social media. Before long, she had met her fundraising goal with the support of the people closest to her.
“I reached out to a lot of family members, and because they were around us when my mom was being treated, they were so happy to give to the cause and support me. They wanted to help in any way they could because when she was in treatment, they’d come watch us for the night or drop off dinners. They were really lifelines to us during that time and were always there to help.”
Today, Ella’s mother has been in remission for nearly nine years after battling breast cancer twice. While her family’s cancer journey is behind them, the experience continues to inspire Ella to give back and support others facing similar challenges.
This summer, Ella will join Team JAF and many fellow runners in the Falmouth Road Race, raising funds to help New England cancer patients and their families receive the financial assistance they need during treatment.
For anyone considering running for Team JAF in the future, Ella has a simple message:
“100 percent do it. I don’t think there are many causes out there that directly help people with everyday expenses and bills the way JAF does. I feel like some organizations have very specific requirements for assistance, JAF does not. Their impact on families is clear. And honestly, if people are nervous, it’s probably more about the running aspect. But it’s all for fun. You just have to get out there, do it, enjoy it, and be part of the experience.”
We are thrilled to welcome Ella to Team JAF and grateful for her commitment to helping cancer patients and their families. We look forward to cheering her on in Falmouth as she turns a race she has watched since childhood, into an opportunity to make a difference.