Running along the water is Sarah Cappella’s self-described special place. It’s a reminder of the times she spent with her dad on the family’s boat ‘Scout’ growing up in Hingham, Massachusetts. Now, approaching the eighth anniversary of her father’s passing, Sarah is gearing up to run the shore-lined seven-mile span of the 2024 Falmouth Road Race as part of Team JAF in his honor.
A single father of three children, Sarah’s dad was first diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer in 2015 and went through treatments at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. That’s when Sarah learned about the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF), which helped pay some of the family’s household bills during her father’s treatments. Later, Sarah’s dad and brother played in the Joe Andruzzi and Friends Annual Golf Tournament, winning tickets to a Zack Brown Band concert. It established a connection with JAF for Sarah that continues to this day.
That connection sparked Sarah’s interest in running her first Falmouth Road Race as part of Team JAF, which she completed virtually in 2020. It also helped her raise money for such a personal mission.
“Having been a recipient of JAF, I understand how important those funds are for families,” Sarah said. “It makes it so easy to share with the people around you what this organization does and how they’ve impacted my family…Having that natural, authentic connection that resonates with people. That’s why I wanted to return to JAF and see what else I can do.”
Sarah had taken a break from running after completing her first half marathon last May. However, with some of her friends also planning on running Falmouth, Sarah decided to apply to Team JAF and see if she could support the cause while joining her friends. Now, Sarah is back running with Team JAF for the second time as part of the 2024 team.
Sarah always has her dad in mind where she is running, whether near her South Boston home on Castle Island or other training spots. Her dad grew up a runner, something he modeled for Sarah. That connection to him will keep Sarah going as she traverses her Falmouth run.
On that run, Sarah will be motivated by her connection to the JAF mission and her deep understanding of how other families are going through a similar experience. She will run to pay it forward for others.
“What I love about JAF is when you donate your money, they tell you exactly what they are doing with it; these are the families you are helping. I like seeing that direct, immediate impact; it feels a little more tangible.”