CT Cancer Patients Embark On Shopping Sprees, Courtesy Of Joe Andruzzi Foundation, Bob's Furniture

MANCHESTER, CT — The Joe Andruzzi Foundation and Bob's Discount Furniture have been teaming up to give two families in each New England state affected by cancer shopping sprees to make life just a bit easier. But if there were ever the perfect candidates, they are 6-year-old Johnny McDuffie Cox and Johnny’s mother, Courtney Jackson.

This past summer, hope was in the air. Jackson said Johnny's treatments were faring well and they were anticipating what they hoped was the last round of chemotherapy.

Then, at 6:30 one morning in August, there was a large bang in their West Haven duplex.

A Jeep sport utility vehicle had crashed through an outside wall and into their bathroom. Jackson showed a photo that depicted the damage. The front end of the Jeep was in the house. The driver wasn't drunk, Jackson said, but seemingly suffered a medical emergency.

It was another instance of bad luck when things were looking up from some really bad luck.

"It was the bathroom so water was pouring out everywhere.," Jackson said. "From what we saw, everything was ruined, but we could tell for sure because the house was uninhabitable and we couldn't get back in."

In stepped the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, run by the former New England Patriots offensive lineman, who also had a bout with cancer. The foundation, in its own words, aims to provide "help, hope and a reason to smile for New England cancer patients and their families through financial support."

On Wednesday, the JAF teamed up with Bob’s Discount Furniture to host two special in-store shopping experiences in Manchester, which happens to be the hub for Bob's more that 200 stores nationwide. Little Bob himself, the star of Bob's array of creative and lively commercials made in Manchester, was on hand to welcome the family.

"We're so grateful," Jackson said.

With $2,500 in store credit to use, she wasted no time in touring Bob's with store manager Terrance Johnson. Jackson is currently on a waiting list for subsidized housing and she said an answer will likely come next month. Selected items will be delivered once placement is confirmed.

A second shopping experience took place Wednesday afternoon for Old Lyme resident Jennifer Coffey, a breast cancer patient. She also received $2,500 in store credit to select essential items for her home.

Both patients were selected as part of JAF’s expanded GivingTuesday programming. Not only did Bob's triple match donations that day, but offered the shopping sprees as well, Andruzzi said.

"Why not enjoy a little shopping spree," Andruzzi said. "We've been doing this for a couple of years now. It's a nice gesture toward these families. Cancer not only affects one person, but the entire family."

He continued, "I was. tired, miserable and bald and I remember that. But I was fortunate to have played in the NFL and had resources because it turned the family upside down. My wife was my number one caregiver but we also had resources. Some of the families we've met live paycheck-to-paycheck and it's heart-wrenching to see. But it's rewarding to be able to help."

Since 2008, the JAF has granted over $13.7 million to more than 75,000 cancer patients and family members across New England to help ease the pressure of household expenses, food, transportation, and extraordinary needs, while undergoing treatment.

In 2024 alone, JAF distributed more than $1.2 million in direct assistance to help more than 8,100 patients and their families throughout New England.