Lester and Andruzzi

It's still Lymphoma/Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and there's still lots going on to celebrate.

Two Boston sports heroes -- both Lymphoma Survivors, both Nodes of Gold honorees -- are using their fame to help cancer patients.

 Jon Lester, Red Sox pitcher, is hosting a fundraiser for his NRVQT (Never Quit) Foundation. The money raised will benefit the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

Joe Andruzzi, former Patriots lineman and Burkett's Lymphoma survivor,  is raising money for cancer research through his (Up)Beat Cancer Foundation. Andruzzi believes strongly in positive attitudes and laughter in beating cancer. The statement of beliefs on the (Up)Beat website is kind of cool:

We believe in electric guitar, not sad piano.

We believe in silly snapshots, not moody black and whites.

We believe in deep laughs, not long faces.

We believe in exciting futures, not uncertain presents.

We believe in carefree jokes, not heavy hearts.

We believe in cutting loose, not reining in.

We believe in what can be, not what can’t.

I like it. Upbeat isn't always possible (we're allowed a bad day every now and then), but as an overall approach to facing cancer, I'm all for it.


(And goodness knows Sox and Pats fans could use a little upbeat laughter these days....)