BEDFORD — Former New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi is one of the nicest human beings you'll ever meet, according to Bedford firefighter John Snow.

“I see injuries and illnesses that are related to strokes,” said Snow, whose also a paramedic. “But in December of '09 my brother (Jamie Snow) had a stroke at age 29. That made it hit home pretty close.”

Bruschi, who suffered a minor stroke during the 2005 NFL season, dedicated himself to assisting the American Heart Association by forming Tedy's Team, a crew of runners who meet annually to run the Boston Marathon and the Falmouth Road Race.

For the last three years John and Jamie Snow have run with Tedy and his wife, Heidi at the Falmouth race. They even join the celebrity each year for a post-race party at a friend's house on the Cape.

Snow, 34, has been with the Bedford Fire Department for 10 years. He said his brother's stroke was similar to Bruschi's and they were treated by the same medical team in Boston.

When Jamie asked John for help fundraising, John decided to join the race along with his wife, Kelly. Last year he ran in Falmouth with an ASCB air tank strapped on his back.

Though he's not wearing the 25-pound tank this year, he's ready to hit the 12-kilometer race in full stride on the morning of Aug. 12.

Zack Blackburn of the American Heart Association is the director for Tedy's Team. He said Bruschi's star stature has had an enormous impact on the organization's fundraising. But the morale boost is equally huge.

“Tedy and Heidi both are extremely integral parts of what we're doing,” Blackburn said, “but one of the things they both like to stress is that this program… is much more than just the both of them. They've really taken something that they could have done on the outside and not really have been as much of a focal point, but they've really gone above and beyond whatever would be expected of them.”

Blackburn said having Bruschi's support means everything to the 40 to 50 runners who join Tedy's Team each race.

“Part of the joy that we get working with them really is how appreciative they are of everybody that takes part in the organization and takes part in the program,” he added.

It also brings the group a level of exposure and name recognition they wouldn't otherwise enjoy.

The New Balance Falmouth Road Race is celebrating its 39th anniversary this year. Organizers are expecting 11,000 runners ranging from the marathon elite to “back-of-the-pack joggers.”

In addition to Tedy's Team, several dozen Greater Boston nonprofits will have participating teams, from the Cam Neely Foundation to Children's Hospital Boston to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

Tedy's Team plans on raising $60,000 for the Falmouth race. For seven years they've been in action they've succeeded in generating $2.2 million.

For more information, go to firstgiving.com/FalmouthRoadRace.

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Simon Rios may be reached at srios@newstote.com.