Stop & Shop & Joe Andruzzi Foundation Team Up to Surprise Cancer Patient
Joe Andruzzi Foundation, Stop & Shop, and Poland Spring® Surprise Norton Cancer Patient with Groceries and Support
Carrie Foster honored at home with a year’s worth of essentials and $50,000 in donations
The Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF), alongside partners Stop & Shop and Poland Spring®, surprised Norton, MA resident Carrie Foster, a cervical cancer patient and mother of two, with a convoy of support—and a life-changing gift.
Believing she was participating in a promotional video for JAF, Foster was overwhelmed when former New England Patriot and cancer survivor Joe Andruzzi arrived at her home with branded trucks from Stop & Shop and Poland Spring®, delivering a year’s worth of groceries and bottled water. The surprise also included $50,000 in charitable donations—$25,000 each from Stop & Shop and Poland Spring®—to further the Joe Andruzzi Foundation’s mission of assisting New England cancer patients in financial need.“This moment was truly special,” said Joe Andruzzi, Co-Founder and Chief Engagement Officer of JAF. “To see Carrie surrounded by her family, her care team, and our incredible partners who believe in giving back—it’s why we do what we do. It’s about lifting up people when they need it most.”
The event, held in Foster’s front yard, included a pop-up tailgate lunch, photo opportunities, and emotional moments shared among JAF staff, the Foster family, and representatives from the participating brands. Joe Andruzzi also presented Foster with signed memorabilia and spent time speaking one-on-one with her and her children.
Foster, 45, is currently undergoing treatment for cervical cancer and unable to work. Her story inspired a collaboration between JAF and its corporate partners to show tangible support and highlight the critical role community plays in a cancer journey.The Joe Andruzzi Foundation provides financial assistance for housing, transportation, utilities, food, insurance, and other essential needs for cancer patients across New England. In 2024, JAF distributed more than $1.3 million in direct support.
For more information or to donate, visit joeandruzzifoundation.org.
About The Joe Andruzzi Foundation
The Joe Andruzzi Foundation is committed to providing help, hope, and a reason to smile, for New England cancer patients and their families by contributing financial support when it is needed most. Founded in 2008 by former New England Patriots three-time Super Bowl Champion offensive guard Joe Andruzzi and his wife Jen, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation grew out of Joe’s own successful battle with cancer. In 2007, Joe’s football career abruptly ended when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Burkitt’s lymphoma. Disease-free less than a year later, Joe and Jen chose to dedicate their lives towards solving the financial distress a cancer diagnosis can cause in the lives of patients and families. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit: joeandruzzifoundation.org or Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
About Stop & Shop:
A neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, Stop & Shop is focused on delivering a wide assortment of fresh, healthy options at a great value through strong weekly sales and everyday low prices. Its new GO Rewards loyalty program delivers personalized offers and allows customers to earn points that can be redeemed for gas or groceries every time they shop. Stop & Shop customers can choose however they want to shop - whether it's in-store or online, which offers both delivery and same day pickup. The company is committed to making an impact in its communities by fighting hunger and working to ensure no students has to go to school hungry through its Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program. The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company and employs over 50,000 associates and operates more than 350 stores throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com.
About Poland Spring®:
Born in Maine in 1845, Poland Spring® has been rooted in the Northeast for over 180 years. Responsibly sourced from carefully selected springs, Poland Spring® water contains naturally occurring electrolytes for the fresh, crisp taste people know and love. From still to sparkling, and in a variety of flavors and sizes, Poland Spring® offers hydration options to fit every lifestyle. With a longstanding commitment to responsible water stewardship, Poland Spring® uses recyclable bottles that can be remade into new ones-and actively works to protect its spring sources, all while proudly supporting the local communities where it operates.
To learn more visit: www.PolandSpring.com and follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @polandspringwtr @polandspring
