5/6/14 - Exciting Research News
Research News
Back when we started this foundation, I was under the impression that you needed $100 million and 20 years to make an impact on the research front. While that kind of time and money is, of course, valuable, I have found that targeted, collaborations can yield amazing discoveries in shorter timeframes. I don't want to make it sound easy, but I do think that there are SO many brilliant researchers out there that just need the financial resources to make their work a reality. I have been convinced that we are in a time of exciting discovery...I know, not fast enough, right? But, let's pounce on this opportunity.
I was on the phone yesterday with Seattle Children's Hospital and they continue to see great results with their immunotherapy work in Dr. Michael Jensen's lab. They have now seen 6 patients go into remission following the super exciting, re-programmed T-cell work. In short, the patient's own T-cells are re-programmed to fight the cancer cells...in lieu of chemotherapy. You may say that 6 is not many, but if one of those 6 children was your son or daughter, I think your perspective would be different. The B+ Foundation is proud to be a small partner in supporting this exciting work.
THANK YOU!
Thanks go out to Villanova University, Monroe HS in Corvallis, OR (Kylie Perkins), Virginia Tech, and Loyola University (LA) for holding B+ events in the last few weeks. Thank you so much for raising awareness as well as money for the fight against childhood cancer. Who knows if that next dollar raised might be the one to find an exciting discovery or, better yet, a cure.
NYDM
NYDM, the dance marathon of New York University, held their NYDM B+ Spring Carnival on Sunday and the B+ Heroes had a blast. NYDM, in its inaugural year last year, was the #1 first year college dance marathon event in the country! We're so proud to be NYDM's exclusive partner and greatly appreciate their support.
Easy Ways to Help
https://smile.amazon.com/ -- Register The B+ Foundation as 'your' charity on Amazon and we will receive a small percentage donation from all of your shopping. Beyond registering, you don't need to do anything. Just shop away and our kids benefit.
Starboard B+ VIP Black Tag Auction - presented by LowDigitTags.com and the Starboard, is a really fun way to help us fight childhood cancer. For those of you who like to hit Dewey Beach, DE in the summer and don't like waiting in a long line at the Starboard, all you have to do is bid on one of the 31 Starboard B+ VIP Black Tags and you and your guest will jump the whole line. The auction will be go live on eBay in the next day or so with the last day coming on Sat. May 17th...just in time for Memorial Day. Thanks, Aaron Dunphy at LowDigitTags.com for all your hard work in making this happen for the 3rd year in a row!
2nd Annual Masters Swim Meet - Come out on Fri. June 20th (the day after our B+ 5k) and enter the Masters Swim Meet at the Elks Club in Wilmington, DE. Last year's meet was so much fun as some 'not so young' swimmers shook the rust off and got back on the starting blocks. It was a great night and this event is open to everyone. For more information, please contact Karen & Christine at [email protected].
"Best of Delaware Party" sponsored by Delaware Today - if you live within 100 miles of Wilmington, DE, you've got to come to the annual "Best of Delaware Party" sponsored by Delaware Today magazine. This is a grazers dream. You walk around the Chase Center at Riverfront in Wilmington and there are literally a hundred different prize winning exhibitors of food and drink. You've got to walk the room with a strategy or you will be stuffed by the time you're only half way around the room. The Best of Delaware Party is a fundraiser and I'm thrilled to report that one of the two beneficiaries this year is none other than you B+ Foundation!!! This year's party is July 17th from 6-9pm and tickets are available (while they last...yes, this does sell out) at www.bestofde.com. If you use the "bepos" promotion code, you'll get $5 off your ticket. Go online today and get your tickets.
We wish all of our runners on our B+ Running Team GOOD LUCK this coming Sunday as they tackle the Delaware Marathon/Half-Marathon.
We will announce a couple of very interesting surprises next week about our Fall marathon/half-marathon event. Stay tuned...you don't want to miss this news.
On a personal note, thank you all for the nice notes and FB posts about Chris finishing the invasive portion of her cancer treatment last Friday. The chemo, radiation, and Herceptin infusions are now over. We're praying for a nice, quiet, boring 2014.
Live Like Andrew.
Ali & Andrew's Dad