New England Star Quarterback Tom Brady, National Grid and CBS Radio Boston Raise More Than $118,000 to Help Cancer Patients through the Joe Andruzzi Foundation

Football season may be winding down in New England, but the Joe Andruzzi Foundation is celebrating a massive philanthropic win: local energy provider National Grid has donated $118,325 to the Foundation in support of patients and families struggling with cancer.

Last fall, National Grid pledged to donate $700 to the Joe Andruzzi Foundation for every “Touchdowns by Tom” touchdown pass thrown by star quarterback Tom Brady over the course of the 2012 season.

Combined with Brady’s 38 touchdown passes – equaling a $26,600 donation in support of the Foundation’s Patient Touchdown Program – National Grid matched $16,725 worth of public donations and added an extra $58,275 to help exceed the program’s fundraising goals.

In all, the $118,325 in new funding will allow the Foundation’s financial assistance program to distribute $700 grants to 169 needy patient families; the grants, reserved for those who contact the Foundation directly, can be used to assist with household bills during cancer treatment.

“I am immensely grateful to my former teammate Tom Brady, National Grid and CBS Radio Boston for their generosity and support of our Patient Touchdown Program,” said Foundation President Joe Andruzzi, a three-time Super Bowl champion and cancer survivor. “These funds will assist families struggling with cancer pay the bills at a time when they most need it. Our empathy and financial support will help patients focus on what really matters – getting better.”

Tom Brady said he was honored that his touchdown passes equaled donations for Joe Andruzzi Foundation grant recipients last season.

“I’ve been involved with Joe’s Foundation for years, and really admire the important work he and his wife, Jen, do in our community,” Brady said. “They help families who are really struggling to make ends meet at a very challenging time. It’s simply a great cause, and I’m happy I could team up with National Grid and CBS Radio Boston to help out.”

Local New England energy provider National Grid prides itself on providing vital energy to millions of customers across the northeastern U.S. and Great Britain in an efficient, reliable and safe manner. It is also committed to building strong and lasting partnerships with business and community leaders, customers, elected officials and nonprofits, and it contributes millions of dollars every year to a wide variety of deserving programs, most notably in energy, education and the environment.

The Touchdowns by Tom campaign was National Grid’s first partnership with the Joe Andruzzi Foundation.

"We're proud to be part of this exemplary program and help so many cancer patients defray everyday expenses while they focus on being with family and healing," said Tom King, president of National Grid, U.S.  "Community involvement is a central part of who we are, which is why it is so rewarding to team up with an organization like the Andruzzi Foundation. It’s gratifying to be able to help make life a little easier for those that need it most."

As part of the Touchdowns by Tom program, Joe Andruzzi Foundation cancer patient grant recipients also had the chance to attend Patriots home games throughout the 2012 season, thanks to a partnership with National Grid, 98.5 The Sports Hub Patriots Radio Network and CBS Radio Boston. CBS honored the patients during broadcasts, and also aired special service announcements, voiced by Brady, during games on The Sports Hub and its 37 affiliates.

For more information on the Joe Andruzzi Foundation and the “Touchdowns by Tom” campaign, benefitting the JAF Patient Touchdown Program, please visit www.joeandruzzifoundation.org.