Annual Impact Report – 2024
Dear Friends,
As we reflect on 2024, I am proud to share that it was a year of growth, resilience, and impact at JAF. We expanded our team, our fundraising, and our supporter base—growth that was truly needed to meet the increasing demand for our services. While the pandemic is well behind us, the economic uncertainty that followed has driven more and more patients to our door. JAF remained resilient, creative, and ready to answer the call as best we could, standing firmly by those who rely on us most.
2024 also marked the creation of a new multi-year strategic plan, mapping out an even brighter future. Central to this plan is our commitment to increasing awareness of the Foundation throughout New England, an effort slowed by the pandemic, and to reaching more patients who need us. Highlights include activating ambassadors in each of the six states we serve, deepening our partnership with our Healthcare Council to address patient needs better, and launching our new Legislative Council to engage lawmakers who are equally committed to supporting cancer patients in their communities. These are ambitious goals, but ones we embrace with urgency, knowing that thousands of patients are depending on us.
Healthcare partners often remind us that “JAF is the go-to resource” or “sometimes JAF is a patient’s only hope.” While it is deeply humbling to hear, it is also heartbreaking—because we know we cannot help every family that applies. That is why our call continues to go out to those who share our belief that no one should ever have to choose between paying a bill and seeking treatment. JAF will continue to stand ready to level the playing field and bring equity, access, and dignity to cancer care—ensuring patients and their families can stay in their homes, put food on the table, and get to treatment.
None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors and partners, who once again chose to stand with us in 2024. You made all the difference for so many. We are also profoundly grateful to our volunteer leaders—our Board of Directors, Board Committees, Healthcare Council, Young Professionals Council, and countless dedicated volunteers—whose leadership and energy fuel this mission. And finally, I extend my deepest gratitude to the talented JAF staff. Their tireless commitment, creativity, and compassion are the driving force behind our work, and I am endlessly proud to serve alongside them.
As we look to 2025, we are filled with optimism and strong momentum. However, we have experienced an unprecedented surge in demand for our services. This past spring, patient requests became so overwhelming that we temporarily paused our Assistance Programs, as the number of applications exceeded our monthly budgets—this clearly highlights the critical nature of our mission. We have since reopened with resolve, but we cannot do it alone. The generosity of our community is what makes every grant, every program, and every moment of relief possible. We are especially grateful to all our donors in 2024 and now in 2025. It is through your support that we can address the growing needs of cancer patients and their families across New England, ensuring they never have to face these hardships alone.
Jen Andruzzi
President and CEO
Joe Andruzzi Foundation
