Last modified: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 2:49 PM EST Andruzzi, left, and Patriot defensive end Jarvis Green, share a laugh at Monday’s fundraiser. Turning out for Joe BY JULIET PENNINGTON FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE Former NFL offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi is becoming as well-known for his off-the-field efforts as he is for his on-field prowess, which helped garner three Super Bowl wins for the New England Patriots. Andruzzi and his wife Jen hosted the second annual "New England Celebrities Tackle Cancer" fundraiser at Christina's in Foxboro on Monday night. More than 650 people, including numerous current and former members of the New England Patriots, attended the event, which raises money for cancer research. "Even though he's not on the team anymore, it's like the TV show 'Cheers,' where everybody knows your name. Everybody knows his name, and it's not only for what he did as a football player, but what he's doing now and what he's been doing all along to help others," Patriots' defensive lineman Jarvis Green said. "Joe's a great guy. There's a reason this event does so well." The foundation was started after Andruzzi waged - and won - a lengthy battle with Burkitt's lymphoma, an aggressive form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He has been cancer-free for more than two years. For the second year in a row, WEEI sports talk show host Dale Arnold and former talk show hostess Marjorie Clapprood were the master/mistress of ceremonies. WCVB news anchor Kelly Tuthill, who waged a battle against breast cancer, was a guest speaker. "I'm alive because someone like you decided to donate to a foundation like Joe's," Tuthill told the crowd. "People are still dying every day from this disease. We have to do more." "Hearing the words 'you have cancer' is a little less scary thanks to Joe and Jen Andruzzi and their foundation," she added. Rookie Brian Hoyer, backup quarterback for the Patriots' Tom Brady, said even though he never played with Andruzzi, his reputation precedes him. "Everyone has nice things to say about Joe," Hoyer said. "Joe and I have the same agent, and I got to know him when he was working in the weight room. He's a great guy, and to see what he's gone through and how he's taken this and is doing so much for others it's an inspiration." Tackle Matt Light said he misses playing with Andruzzi. "He was my teammate on the line," Light said. "I'm happy that he's OK and I'm happy to be here to help him out. This is a great cause." "He is the definition of selfless," added safety Brandon Meriweather. "He's a great guy and a fierce competitor who has taken it from the field to this fundraiser." Many of those in attendance said they wanted to meet Patriots' players and bid on some cool auction items, but most importantly, they wanted to help support the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. "I'm a two-time cancer survivor and a big-time Pats fan, so I wouldn't have missed this for the world," said Stephen Reddington, 51, of Norwood. His daughter, Michelle Reddington, 27, a student who lives in West Palm Beach, Fla., surprised her dad by buying the tickets for the two of them to attend. "I was supposed to fly out today, but I changed my flight to tomorrow so I could come," Michelle Reddington said. Even though she lives in Florida, Reddington said she is a "die-hard" Patriots fan. When she met Andruzzi, he let her wear one of his Super Bowl rings and pose for a picture with him. "That was amazing," she said. Mansfield resident Joe Roche, 44, an assignment editor at WCVB television station, said he was happy to support a foundation where he knew the money was going to a good cause. "Looking around, there are so many people here who have or who have had cancer and it's good to know that money is being raised for research to help them and to help others." Food stations were set up around the ballroom and auction items - ranging from signed sports memorabilia to vacations - were in abundance. Arnold and Clapprood - with help from Andruzzi - called the live auction, which was a hit with the crowd. Some of the more lucrative items included food and drinks for 10 at "Tastings" at Patriot Place, which went to two sparring bidders, who each ponied up $4,100 for the auction item. Another hot item was a Viking grill complete with a voucher to have Andruzzi and his three firefighter brothers come to the high bidder's home and do the barbecuing. Dr. Patty Ronpf, a pediatric cardiologist from Providence, was the high bidder at $3,400. She said she's going to "wait for a good friend to finish chemotherapy" before claiming her prize. Chris Spinazzola, owner of Christina's and husband of Clapprood, who is a cancer survivor, said that "what Joe and Jen are doing is very personal and hits home." "They're raising money for the right reasons," he said. "The fact that they were doing it before Joe was even sick says a lot."