Spring Forward: Small Steps, Real Impact
After the slower pace of winter, spring brings a natural shift. The days get longer, the air feels lighter, and there’s a sense of things starting up again.
Renewal doesn’t have to be big or complicated. It can be as simple as opening a window, clearing a space, or taking a moment to reset. It’s a chance to refocus on what matters and take a small step forward.
This season is also a good reminder to take care of your health. That might mean scheduling a cancer screening, making an appointment you’ve been putting off, or encouraging someone close to you to do the same. These are simple actions, but they matter.
At JAF, we see every day how early detection and access to care can make a real difference. Taking that step—making the call, booking the visit—is a meaningful way to invest in your future and show up for the people who depend on you.
Why Early Detection Matters
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosis in the United States, and recent trends indicate that younger people are receiving the diagnosis at a much more frequent rate than ever before. Per the American Cancer Society, colon cancer cases in those under 50 increased from 11% of all colorectal diagnoses in 1996 to 20% in 2020.
Colorectal cancer is preventable, and screening is the most effective tool for early detection. It is recommended that everyone age 45 and over be screened regularly. If you have a family history, you should talk to your doctor about early screening.
Charlie is a JAF recipient who had no symptoms; screening was able to save his life. Read his story here:
Secure Your Spot Now
The 18th Annual Joe Andruzzi & Friends Golf Tournament is happening Monday, June 8, 2026, at the stunning Black Rock Country Club. Join us for an unforgettable day of golf, camaraderie, and giving back to New England cancer patients and their families.
Golf Sponsorships
Sponsorship packages that include golf foursomes are available now and are a great way to maximize your company’s visibility while securing your place on the course.
Foursomes
We currently have one foursome available, with additional foursomes potentially being added. If a foursome isn’t immediately available, we’ll place you on our priority waitlist, so you have the first opportunity to purchase.
Tee Signs
Make your support visible all day long:
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Traditional – display your company logo or name
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“In Honor of” or “In Celebration of” – honor a loved one, celebrate a graduating senior, or recognize Dad this Father’s Day
Dinner Tickets
If you are not a golfer, you can join us post-play for cocktails, dinner, and a short program celebrating the families we serve.
This incredible event raises critical funds in support of JAF’s mission to provide help, hope, and a reason to smile.
Click Here to reserve your sponsorship, tee sign, or dinner ticket today.
For more information, or to reserve a foursome, reach out to Michelle at michelle@joeandruzzifoundation.org.
A Hoppy Start: 2026 Hop Over Series Begins with a Bang
We kicked off our 2026 Hop Over series with an event at Haven Beer Company in Hamden, CT, on Saturday, March 7. This event raised over $8,500, and it would not have been possible without our generous supporters.
Big Thank You to our event sponsors:
Hops Sponsor: Oak Family
Barley Sponsor: Ruane Family
Thanks to Haven Beer Company for welcoming JAF and its supporters back to it’s fantastic space and for providing delicious food and drinks.
Once again, special thanks to our generous friends at Well Told Design for donating custom pint glasses!
If you would like to rally a host committee and/or sponsor JAF through a Hop Over at your favorite brewery in 2026, please contact our Events Manager, Molly Kate Donnelly, at mollykate@joeandruzzifoundation.org for details.
COMING SOON:
Save the date! The JAF staff is excited to share that we will be hosting our 3rd Annual Hometown Hop Over on May 21 at Angle Tree Brewing in North Attleboro, MA. Save the date! Tickets will be on sale soon!
Rhode Island Shows Up
Rhode Island showed up for JAF during this year’s 401Gives! Thanks to the generosity of 25 incredible donors, we raised $2,946—made even more impactful by a $2,000 401Gives Amplify Grant from our friends at the Lawson Charitable Foundation, bringing our total to $4,946.
Together, these gifts will help JAF provide support to Ocean State families coping with cancer—potentially funding food security grants for nearly 20 households or financial assistance for up to 5 families navigating the everyday costs that come with a diagnosis. Every dollar raised brings relief, stability, and a reminder that no family is facing cancer alone.
We’re so grateful to everyone who showed up, gave back, and made a meaningful difference!
Scoops For A Cause
This April, you can make a difference one scoop at a time.
From April 1–30, our friends at The Sacred Cow by Munroe Dairy are hosting Scoops for a Cause, donating 10% of all ice cream scoop sales to the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. Every cone, cup, and craving will help us meet the needs of Rhode Island families.
It’s a simple (and delicious) way to show up for those who need it most—so stop by, treat yourself, and turn your sweet tooth into real impact.
Bridge Builder Spotlight: Meena LaRonde
For Meena LaRonde, giving back is deeply personal.
A two-time breast cancer survivor, Meena understands firsthand the uncertainty families face during treatment. As a working mom of two, she and her husband were fortunate to stay afloat—but she knows that’s not the reality for everyone.
That’s why she chose to become a monthly Bridge Builder with the Joe Andruzzi Foundation.
“Being able to support families through their cancer journey is so important to me,” Meena shares. “When you’re fighting cancer, knowing your family will be okay—that you can keep your home and food on the table—helps keep you strong and focused on healing.”
Inspired by the many women who have faced breast cancer before and after her, and motivated by her own family, Meena sees her monthly giving as a way to stand alongside others navigating similar challenges.
“To me, being a Bridge Builder means taking care of our cancer community and never giving up on each other.”
A longtime fan of Joe Andruzzi, Meena first connected with JAF through his story—and was moved by the Foundation’s commitment to helping families not just survive, but stay supported through it all.
Today, her generosity is helping ensure that more families have the stability and peace of mind they need—when it matters most.
You can be our next Bridge Builder Spotlight! If you’d like to share why you are a Bridge Builder, please do so by completing our brief questionnaire.
Bridge Builders For Patients In Need
Every month, a special group of supporters known as Bridge Builders helps ensure that cancer patients and their families across New England can receive financial assistance exactly when they need it most. Through reliable monthly gifts, Bridge Builders provide a steady stream of support that helps cover everyday expenses—like rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation—so families can focus on treatment and healing rather than financial stress.
Right now, 87 dedicated Bridge Builders are helping to make this possible. Together, they contribute an average of $4,000 every month, which can support 5–6 one-time financial assistance grants to cover rent, utilities, or other essential bills during treatment (grants range from $600–$800) or provide 13–26 food security grants, helping to put food on the table ($150 for a household of one, $250 for households of 2–4, and $300 for households of five). Often, it’s a combination of both—helping families keep the lights on and food in the refrigerator.
We have a goal for 2026: to grow our Bridge Builder community from 87 to 100 monthly donors. Reaching this milestone would strengthen JAF’s ability to respond quickly when families reach out for help.
Will you help us build the bridge? Join Bridge Builders today and help us reach 100 strong.
Champion Circle Spotlight
Champions Circle brings together companies that are committed to helping neighbors, colleagues, and friends when they need it most.
Spotlight on Mansfield Orthodontics
At Mansfield Orthodontics, they genuinely believe in the power of a healthy, beautiful smile. They understand that the appearance of your teeth plays a large part in your confidence and emotional well-being. Whether you’re a parent looking to give your child the gift of a straight smile or you are an adult interested in setting things straight, Mansfield Orthodontics can lead you to a smile you’ll love.
Dr. Mindy Altemose said “When I opened Mansfield Orthodontics in 2019, I knew I wanted a spirit of giving back and a true heart of service to be part of the fabric of our practice. That is what led us to support the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, whose mission deeply resonated with me because they provide meaningful help to cancer patients and families facing the many in-between expenses that treatment can bring. Having a close family member go through a cancer journey herself, I personally understand how overwhelming those burdens can be, and I know how important this kind of support truly is. I also love that their impact reaches so many local families across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and beyond, including patients of all ages. For every new patient who starts treatment in our office, we donate a portion of that treatment to this incredible foundation. It is something I am very proud of, and I feel confident supporting an organization that serves our community with such transparency, compassion, and purpose. “
To schedule a free consultation, visit Mansfield Orthodontics.
