East Providence Runner Marks Milestone with 10th Boston Marathon for Cancer Families

This April, East Providence resident John Ponte will toe the starting line of the 130th Boston Marathon for the 10th time — a milestone that also marks, what is likely his final run of the iconic race. As he has done for the past decade, Ponte will be running not just for the challenge, but for a cause close to his heart: supporting New England cancer patients and their families through the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF).

Founded in 2008 by Joe Andruzzi, a three-time Super Bowl champion offensive guard with the New England Patriots, and his wife, Jen, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation grew out of Joe’s own successful battle with cancer and the couple’s longstanding commitment to helping patients and families in need.

Before cancer struck their own family, Joe and Jen founded the C.J. Buckley Pediatric Brain Cancer Research Fund at Boston Children’s Hospital in 2003. The fund was created in memory of a young friend, C.J. Buckley, who lost his battle with brain cancer just months after meeting the Andruzzis.

In 2007, Joe was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that abruptly ended his football career. Joe would go on to defeat the disease and remains cancer free today. That experience, however, sparked a new passion for both Joe and Jen: helping families facing the overwhelming financial and emotional strain that often comes with a cancer diagnosis.

Today, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation provides direct financial assistance to cancer patients and families across New England, allowing them to focus on treatment and recovery rather than mounting bills. Support from the foundation helps cover everyday necessities such as mortgage and rent payments, utility bills, groceries, and gas needed to travel to and from medical appointments.

For Ponte, running the Boston Marathon has become a powerful way to give back. This year, his goal is to raise an additional $12,000, pushing his total funds raised for JAF and local families facing cancer to more than $150,000.

"Running has given me a platform to make a difference," Ponte said. "If putting one foot in front of the other for 26.2 miles can help ease even a small part of a family’s burden during cancer treatment, it’s worth every mile."

Those interested in supporting Ponte’s final Boston Marathon run can donate to his campaign online by scanning the QR Code or at:
https://www.givengain.com/project/john-raising-funds-for-joe-andruzzi-foundation-112227