Helping a Cancer Patient

A Saugus mom gets a hug, hope and help from three-time Super Bowl Champion and cancer survivor Joe Andruzzi

By Mark E. Vogler

Sheena LaMarra knew she would be receiving a visit Tuesday morning from people who might be able to help her as she recovers from cancer surgery while struggling to pay household bills and take care of her two children, who share an apartment with her on Denver Street. The past two years have been challenging ones for LaMarra, 36, who completed five months of chemotherapy, underwent a double mastectomy and endured a month of daily radiation that ended last October. She had to stop working last year after being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.

She was visibly surprised when New England Patriots three-time Super Bowl Champion offensive guard Joe Andruzzi – a cancer survivor who spends his time trying to help cancer patients and their families deal with financial problems – knocked on her door and led her to the street, where an entourage of people sympathetic to her situation had gathered. First, she learned she would be receiving a $3,000 grant from the newly created Lombardo Legacy Fund to pay household expenses. Andruzzi surprised LaMarra some more when he handed her a poster marked “RENT PAID THROUGH DECEMBER 2025.”

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude,” LaMarra told the group as she was joined by her 19-year-old son, Jaden, who is headed to Curry College in the fall, and her nine-year-old daughter Savannah, who will be in the fourth grade.

“I didn’t expect any of this,” LaMarra said.

“I feel good. This was a great positive,” she said.

Tuesday was a hot, humid and uncomfortable summer day in Saugus. But LaMarra found comfort, warmth and kindness from two area families affected by cancer’s tragic toll who gathered to extend their support.

She was the first recipient of a grant from the Lombardo Legacy Fund, which honors late GlideFast Consulting Founder and Everett native Michael Lombardo, who died a year ago. Lombardo was also a former board member with the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF).

Andruzzi’s football career ended abruptly in 2007 after he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Burkitt’s lymphoma. Andruzzi was declared disease-free less than a year later. Soon after, he and his wife Jen decided to dedicate their lives to helping cancer patients and their families face the financial hardships of fighting cancer.

JAF helps New Englanders facing cancer diagnoses through a variety of grants, including Financial Assistance, Extraordinary Needs, Food Security Assistance, Treatment Transportation Assistance and additional resources. Since its start in 2008, the Foundation has granted over $13 million to more than 47,000 cancer patients and their families across New England to help ease the pressure of household expenses, food, transportation, extraordinary needs and wellness resources while undergoing treatment.

JAF had previously supported LaMarra and her family in April 2024 by providing assistance for rent and groceries.

Lombardo’s sister – Andrena Lombardo Silva of Reading – said he was diagnosed with cancer in 2019. “He beat it, at that point and he wanted to start a foundation to help cancer patients. Then he got connected with Joe Andruzzi,” Silva said in an interview this week.

“Mike was re-diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and died in July. One of his wishes was that we would carry on his mission to help cancer victims. We’ve raised $140,000 since July 2024 when he passed,” she said.

“And we’re excited today that Sheena and her family are the first recipients of a grant from the Lombardo Legacy Fund,” she said.

LaMarra strives to maintain a positive attitude. “We just keep going. We fight. There’s no such thing as defeat,” she said.

During an interview with reporters on Denver Street on Tuesday morning, she offered this advice to families that are dealing with cancer: “Don’t give up. Keep fighting and don’t be afraid to reach out. Just keep fighting.”

Andruzzi encouraged LaMarra to make the most of every day. “Live life to the fullest. Every day is a blessing,” he said.

Before leaving Denver Street on Tuesday, Andruzzi broke out a white Joe Andruzzi Foundation football. On it he wrote, “To LaMarra Family. Keep up the Great Fight. God Bless” and then signed it.