Norwood Native Running 2014 Boston Marathon to Raise Funds for Joe Andruzzi Foundation

Norwood’s own Melissa Frontino will return to the streets of Boston next month for the 118th running of the Boston Marathon – a race she was unable to complete in 2013 after being stopped just one mile from the finish line when the event was abruptly canceled. Melissa will be running as a part of a team organized by the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF), a non-profit established by former New England Patriots offensive guard and cancer survivor Joe Andruzzi and his wife, Jen.

Melissa will be one of 47 “Team JAF” runners tackling cancer with each stride when she takes to the streets of Boston this April for the 118th Boston Marathon – all to raise money in support of the Foundation’s mission of alleviating cancer’s financial burdens on patients, as well as funding critical pediatric brain cancer research at Boston Children’s Hospital. Joining Team JAF is of special importance to Frontino, who is running in honor of her late cousin, Lucy, who passed away from ovarian cancer. Those wishing to help Melissa reach her fundraising goal of $5,000 can visit bit.ly/TeamJAF14.

Though Melissa is in the thick of training for the Marathon, the only cramps she will feel on Thursday, April 17 will be from laughing too hard – as funnyman Lenny Clarke and a cast of New England’s best comics host an “(Up)Beat Comedy Night” fundraiser in Walpole.

All proceeds raised through the event – hosted at Raffael’s (1601 Main Street, Walpole, MA) will support Team JAF. The night of comedy will also spread the Foundation’s (Up)Beat philosophy, which stresses the importance of a positive attitude in the face of adversity. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at bit.ly/UpBeatComedy.

The Foundation will also return to Forum Restaurant on Boylston Street for its Marathon watch party, where the team and JAF supporters also gathered in 2013. This year’s event is of special significance to the Foundation and Forum, as it will celebrate the resiliency of Team JAF, the venue and the City of Boston in the wake of the 2013 Marathon bombings – one of which occurred immediately outside of the 2013 watch party. A limited number of tickets are available at bit.ly/ReturntoForum – 25% of proceeds raised through ticket sales benefit the Foundation, as well as 20% of the events bar sales.

For more information on the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, visit www.joeandruzzifoundation.org.