LOTS Going On!
On the Road
February & March are the craziest months of the year here at The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. So many of our hard-working, dedicated student partners are holding their events or coming down the homestretch to their events. In just the past few weeks, I have given talks at Loyola Marymount University (CA), Archmere Academy (DE), the University of Texas (TX), Wilmington Friends School (DE), Villanova University (PA), New York University (NY), and our largest partner, "UDance" at the University of Delaware. Last night, I spoke to over 800 new sorority women (in 3 separate talks) at UD to welcome them to Greek Life, UDance, and The B+ Foundation. While part of me loves talking about my son, it also breaks my heart to re-tell the story of my brave son's death...OVER and OVER again. But, I am so indebted to these great young people for their dedication to our cause. We couldn't do it without them.
B+ Hero Families
Because of these hard-working, kind students, thousands of families of kids with cancer will be able to give their kids the best chance at survival. The money we raised prevents eviction of these immunosuppressed kids. It pays for medicine that the oncologist prescribed but the family cannot afford nor will the insurance company cover. It pays for car repairs so that the family can get the child to the treatment. Good hospitals and good doctors mean NOTHING if you can't get there. The money we raise not only lifts these families up emotionally, but it may literally impact the child's chance of survival!
Santiago is a 14 year old boy who lost his eye to retinoblastoma when he was one year old. But, while it is very sad that Santiago lost his eye, he is a survivor. But, recently, he was diagnosed with a secondary cancer - this time, osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Did you know that secondary cancers resulting from the treatment of the primary cancer is not that uncommon? Santiago's family makes $38,000 a year. Thanks to the generosity of B+ Nation, Santiago's family will not be evicted and we will be paying their utility bill as well. May God bless Santiago, his family, and all of our kids fighting cancer.
Alexia is an 18 month old child with Neuroblastoma. Her parents are on government assistance and Mom's phone has been shut off due to non-payment and Dad's phone is now at risk of being shut off. The hospital is hesitant to discharge them without a line of communication to the family so they asked if we would pay the past due $721.65 bill. That check is going out today.
Looking for Another Way to Help
If you live in Delaware, PLEASE consider donating a portion or all of your DE tax refund to The B+ Foundation. Please look for us on the check box options.
Please sign up today to join us (in person or virtually) for our 14th Annual B+ 5k. It's simple to register and even easier to raise a lot of awareness and money by forwarding out the solicitation email. It will only take a few minutes. Sign up here today!
Want to join the B+ Running Team for the Savannah (GA) Rock N Roll Marathon/Half Marathon? It's a blast. It doesn't matter if you're an experienced runner or rookie. Click here to learn more.
We have 2 slots left in this year's NYC Marathon. For more information on this, please contact Carly Bergstein at [email protected].
Make it a great weekend. Count your blessings!
B+
Ali & Andrew's Dad