Foxborough Breast Cancer Survivors Honored Before Patriots Game

FOXBOROUGH, MA — For as horrible and challenging as fighting breast cancer may be, there’s a silver lining for those diagnosed. Through the rounds of chemotherapy and medical appointments, bonds begin to form as the journey to recovery begins.

That was the one comforting factor for a pair of Foxborough women who took part in the NFL Crucial Catch ceremony before Sunday’s Patriots’ game against the Atlanta Falcons. For Trish Conlon, stepping on the field was a celebration of the 1-year anniversary of her breast cancer surgery.

“It's amazing absolutely amazing. It's a wonderful way to celebrate (being) one-year cancer free. All these people are my family,” she said before Sunday night’s game. “The Town of Foxborough, Kraft Organization, and the (Patriots) charitable organization have been amazing. Everyone has pulled together, they are so supportive, caring, you can feel it.”

Conlon remembers the day last year when she was diagnosed. The plan was to get treatment and move on. What she didn’t anticipate was all the people she would meet along the way that would keep her fighting, kept her busy, and displayed a small sign of support.

“A phone call, a card in the mail, someone waves as they drive by, or someone pics up the phone, or emails online, just little things...it makes it so much easier and you’re not alone. Sometimes you can feel lonely but you're not alone and it's nice to know you have people when you’re feeling down and out boost you right back up,” Conlon said.

Fellow Foxborough resident Lisa Rapoza has been fighting breast cancer for five years, not that you could tell with the energy in her step Sunday night. She echoed many of the things Conlon said, calling their friendship a bond.

“Just having someone to call. It is a bond sometimes your friends can understand better than your family. For me it was easier for friends to go to chemo because we would laugh instead of having my family look at me sadly,” Rapoza said.

As the song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” began to play over the stadium’s audio system, the survivors and their caregivers proudly walked out onto the field to the cheers of nearly 66,000 fans in celebration of their bravery, strength, and hope as they unfurled a large “Crucial Catch” banner at midfield.

“I’m a survivor and I’m here. You can just feel the energy come up from your feet as the crowd goes crazy. (The fans) give you the energy to keep your fight going,” Rapoza said

Below is the full ceremony from Sunday night:

Images and some content via Jeremie Smith/Gillette Stadium