(Up)Beat (Up)Date
As we close the chapter on July and look ahead to the second half of the year, I am filled with gratitude and a renewed commitment to the mission that has guided the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF) for the past 17 years.
This past month has been a powerful reminder of the reasons behind our work and the importance of continuing our efforts.
When we announced in May that our Financial Assistance Portal would need to temporarily close due to overwhelming demand and limited resources, we were uncertain about the response we would receive. Instead, we were met with a remarkable outpouring of support from longtime donors, new friends, community partners, and patients themselves, who reassured us of the value of JAF and their belief in our mission.
Many of you reached out, not only with generosity but also with heartfelt words that reinforced the unique and vital role JAF plays in the nonprofit cancer community. No other organization in our region provides support to patients of any age, with any cancer, across six states, helping them cover essential household expenses while undergoing active treatment.
That encouragement ignited a passion within all of us.
Every day, our dedicated staff works tirelessly behind the scenes—often without meeting the patients they serve—driven by the conviction that no family should have to choose between healing and paying their bills. Time and again, the stories we hear from patients inspire us as they share their experiences to help others discover JAF, instill confidence in our donors, and remind us that every grant we provide is deeply personal.
Thanks to your support and the resilience of the patients we serve, we remain focused on our North Star.
As we head into a busy period of programming and events in the coming months, please know that we are grounded in gratitude, motivated by your support, and more committed than ever to keeping our doors open for those who need us. I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events!
Sincerely,
Jen Andruzzi
President and CEO
Joe Turns 5-0!
This summer, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation is celebrating a milestone moment – Joe Andruzzi’s 50th birthday – and you’re invited to join the party! We’re kicking off a month-long celebration filled with events inspired by Joe’s favorite things: food, fun, football, and giving back.
Wicked Smaht Trivia at Gansett: New England Sports Edition
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 | 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Narragansett Brewery, Providence, RI | $30 per person
Bring your game face and your A-team for a night of fast-paced, New England sports trivia hosted by McCaughey Standard Trivia. Sip local brews, snack on crave-worthy bites, and battle it out for bragging rights. It’s the perfect night out for sports fans and trivia buffs!
Tickets on sale now!
Porchetta & Cheers to 50 Years
Thursday, August 21, 2025 | 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Evviva Trattoria, Wrentham, MA | $100 per person
Feast like a lineman at this delicious birthday dinner! Enjoy a five-course Italian porchetta meal featuring soup, salad, pasta, the star of the show – porchetta – and a decadent dessert. Celebrate Joe with incredible food, good friends, and plenty of birthday cheer.
Tickets are on sale now!
So, who’s ready to party?!? Join us.
Codzilla: Summer Smiles & Splashy Rides
On July 24, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation hosted the 14th Annual Codzilla (Up)Beat Event! This year 24 patient recipients attended along with with their family members, over 90 people!
Guests boarded the high-speed boat ride on the Boston Harbor, enjoying every twist and turn that gave everyone aboard a splash-filled morning! Afterwards, JAF hosted lunch with Joe where patients could mingle and try on his Super Bowl rings. Families were also treated to passes to the New England Aquarium!
This event is a summer staple for JAF and we are so thankful to our friends at Boston Harbor City Cruises for generously hosting us again this year.
Lombardo Legacy Fund Awards First Grant to JAF Patient
Earlier this week, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, in partnership with the Lombardo Family and GlideFast Consulting, proudly awarded the inaugural grant from the newly established Lombardo Legacy Fund, honoring the life and impact of the late Michael Lombardo—beloved JAF Board Member and Founder of GlideFast. The fund will help support JAF’s Financial Assistance Program.
Surrounded by family and friends, cancer patient and JAF grant recipient Sheena LaMarra was surprised at her Saugus home with a $3,000 grant to help cover household expenses. Even more meaningful, Sheena and her two children learned that her rent will be fully covered through December 2025—ensuring housing stability during her continued treatment.
This moment marked the beginning of a powerful new fund created in Mike’s memory to support JAF’s mission of lifting financial burdens for cancer patients and families. We are so proud to honor Mike’s legacy in this way and are deeply grateful for the Lombardo Family and GlideFast for their continued support.
To learn more about the Lombardo Legacy Fund, click the link below.
18th Annual Gala: Late Night with the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, October 8
We Invite You to Step Into the Spotlight With Us!
This fall, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation is flipping the script on our 18th Annual Gala. Forget the ballroom tables and plated dinners – we’re taking center stage with an unforgettable evening inspired by the energy of late-night talk shows and the edge of live sketch comedy. Picture comfortable audience-style seating, a vibrant cocktail hour, powerful patient stories, surprise guests, and entertainment that keeps the spotlight where it belongs – on JAF’s mission.
Join us on October 8, back at the iconic Gillette Stadium, for Late Night with the Joe Andruzzi Foundation.
We’re excited to welcome back:
Doug Meehan, WCVB’s Morning EyeOpener co-anchor, as our Celebrity Emcee
Jacqueline Towers-Perkins, world-renowned auctioneer whose work has supported causes from His Majesty King Charles to Jay-Z and Beyoncé
Sponsorship opportunities are available now! Tickets go on sale soon! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please visit Gala Sponsorships or reach out to Gillian O’Brien at gillian@joeandruzzifoundation.org.
Champions Circle Spotlight: ACS Services
We’re excited to reintroduce our Champions Circle Spotlight, where we celebrate the incredible corporate partners who go above and beyond to support JAF’s mission.
This month, we’re thrilled to feature ACS Services, a longtime and valued member of our Champions Circle.
In addition to their ongoing Champions Circle support, ACS plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in JAF’s day-to-day operations as our dedicated IT services provider. From keeping our systems secure to ensuring our technology runs smoothly, their team allows us to stay focused on helping cancer patients and their families when they need it most.
Reliable, responsive, and always a step ahead, ACS brings both heart and expertise to everything they do. We’re grateful to have them in our corner and proud to recognize them as a true Champion.
Thank you, ACS Services, for your partnership and commitment to JAF’s mission!
Bridge Builders: Stepping Up When the World Slows Down
July is a time when many of us pause – whether it’s for beach days, road trips, or just a slower pace. But for cancer patients and their families, there’s no such thing as a vacation from treatment, appointments, or financial stress.
That’s why we’re especially grateful for our Bridge Builders – dedicated monthly donors whose consistent support powers the Joe Andruzzi Foundation all year long. Their generosity ensures that help is always available when it’s needed most, regardless of the season.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to make a difference this summer, consider joining our Bridge Builder community. Together, we can be a steady source of hope for every family, every day.
Average Joe’s Golf Classic: Playing Spots Are On Sale Now!
We’re teeing it up again for a second round of golf this year – and we hope you’ll join us for the inaugural Average Joe’s Golf Classic on October 27 at Segregansett Country Club, one of Massachusetts’ oldest and most time-honored courses.
And just like Segregansett’s proud tradition of welcoming golfers for more than 130 years, this tournament is all about what makes golf great: friends, fun, and a relaxed day on the course. Expect plenty of games, a variety of food trucks, and an all-around good time.
After golf, enjoy a buffet dinner, raffles, and a short program. Best of all, your participation will help us provide financial assistance to cancer patients with their everyday household expenses while they’re in treatment.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this fun-filled tournament on such a historic course!
Sponsorships and golf spots are on sale now! Register today, or contact Gillian O’Brien at gillian@joeandruzzifoundation.org to become a sponsor.
Team JAF: 2025 ASICS Falmouth Road Race.
Sunday, August 17
Joe Andruzzi’s 50th Month-Long Birthday Celebration
Wicked Smaht Trivia at Gansett: New England Sports Edition
Tuesday, August 19
Porchetta & Cheers to 50 Years
Thursday, August 21
JAF’s 18th Annual Gala at Gillette Stadium – Late Night with The Joe Andruzzi Foundation
Wednesday, October 8
Sponsorships now on sale!
NEW – JAF’s Average Joe’s Golf Classic
Monday, October 27 – Segregansett Country Club
Registration open now!