Cancer Experience and Charitable Mission
In 2001, Joe and his wife, Jen, were introduced to C.J. Buckley, who had an inoperable brain tumor. The families became very close and, therefore, it was devastating when C.J. died late in 2002. Always driven to help others in need, Joe and Jen launched the C.J. Buckley Brain Cancer Research Fund at Children's Hospital.
On May 30, 2007, Joe was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Burkitt's lymphoma, predicted to double in size in just 24 hours. The family relocated back to New England where Joe had an aggressive form of chemotherapy treatment over three months at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital. He admirably fought the disease with strength and courage. Joe's last treatment was on August 6, 2007. He then spent a year at home in recovery.
Joe has been in remission since then and lives a healthy life with Jen, their five children, and their two dogs. The Andruzzis clearly recognized their new goal and on May 22, 2008 founded the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. They are committed to tackling cancer's impact by providing financial assistance for patients and their families as well as funding pediatric brain cancer research.
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