Patriots Treat Foxborough Resident Battling Breast Cancer to a Day of Pampering

It was a surreal moment for Tricia Conlon. Just 30 days after being diagnosed with breast cancer, and only nine days after surgery, the longtime Foxborough resident found herself in a Gillette Stadium suite on Thursday, Oct. 13 with a handful of other women for a day all about them as special guests of the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.

Not much more than a week earlier, Patriots players invited breast cancer patients from Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and through the NFL’s Crucial Catch partnership with Dannon to the second annual Patriots Day of Pampering.

The women were treated to a relaxing day that included their own car service to Gillette Stadium, a healthy breakfast in the suites, a light yoga class and massages, manicures and a reiki session.

“Foxborough is just an amazing town to live in and to have the Patriots support us the way they do is unbelievable,” Conlon said. “It was really nice having breakfast and sitting and talking and sharing each other’s stories. The day was kind of surreal. The Patriots do all of these nice things for you. It’s just amazing.”

Members of the Patriots Women’s Association also showed their support, welcoming the women to the event. During lunch, Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft paid a visit to the women with another special invitation. This time it was for each woman and a guest to attend Sunday’s Patriots game against the Bengals.

“When Mr. Kraft announced that we were going to be at the game on Sunday I was just flabbergasted,” Conlon said. “He’s really a big part of our community and he really helps the community. He really has such a big heart and really tries to do a lot for everyone. It was really nice that he took the time to be with us.”

Their day of pampering wrapped up with a visit to Muse Paintbar at Patriot Place, where they channeled their artistic spirit to paint pictures featuring the color pink, and a chance to walk on the Gillette Stadium field.

As Conlon and the group snapped photos at midfield and shared stories of strength and compassion, they were unsuspecting of one final surprise before the day ended. Right from practice, Patriots superstars Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski emerged from the south end zone tunnel and onto the field to meet the women and show their admiration and support.

“Wow,” Conlon said after meeting Brady and Gronk, who took selfies with her and signed her Patriots jacket. “What an amazing experience to meet those two.”

For all, the Day of Pampering was an opportunity to focus on themselves and forget about cancer. Conlon, who will have to undergo chemotherapy in the coming months, said the event gave her a lot to smile about.

“It was a really good day,” Conlon said. “Having sessions to relax you and take your mind off of everything was really nice.”

More than surprises and special moments, the day offered Conlon a reinvigorated sense of hope through the strength of her newfound sisterhood. Huddled together at the 50-yard line, the 12 women discovered while their battles may differ, they are all part of the same army; and there is nothing surreal about that.

“These women are amazing people,” sad Conlon of her new friends. “Being around these women and being able to talk with people really eased my mind and just made this process easier. Even though you’re surrounded by everyone going through it, this event helped us all kind of forget about cancer and just have fun. It gave us a day away from having to deal with it.”

For more on the Patriots second annual Day of Pampering, visit www.patriots.com/news/2016/10/14/patriots-host-annual-day-pampering-breast-cancer-patients.