Peter & Amelia
B+ Hero Peter
Please take a minute to read Peter’s story. I’m glad that we not only were able to help lessen the financial burden, but equally importantly, we are providing much needed psychosocial support through our B+ Heroes Program.
“Hello. Thank you for your email. Our 14 year old son, Peter, and I relocated to Boston for Peter to receive his bone marrow transplant and ongoing medical treatment via Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Peter obtained his bone marrow transplant on 8/15. Exactly one month later on 9/15, our New Jersey house had a fire. Ultimately, everything—our belongings and the contents of the entire house—was deemed a total loss, unsalvageable. Today, we are facing the possibility of a complete gut renovation, with only the exterior and wooden studs left standing. We anticipate being displaced for at least the next twelve months while our house is rebuilt and restored.
I received your email that The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation has paid $2,000 towards our mortgage payment. Words cannot express how thankful I am for this generous offer. This helps to ease some financial burden as we are working to balance Peter’s medical needs while also focusing on rebuilding our house. Through it all, my husband and I are doing our best to continue to work as best as we can.
Just a little bit about our son, Peter. Peter excelled academically and continued to play competitive baseball and basketball despite his diagnosis. On Day +16, Peter was discharged from Boston Children’s Hospital in what is believed to be one of the shortest hospital stays in the country based upon his diagnosis and treatment. Even chemotherapy and its challenging side effects could not hold him back. Each day, Peter walked three to ten miles through the hospital halls, often dribbling his basketball along the way. When it was finally time to leave, he made his hospital exit filled with excitement and energy, to the tune of NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye.” Peter’s continued positive attitude and spirit inspire us all, and we are confident that with the support of his medical team, family, and friends that Peter will return stronger than ever.
We are so thankful to your B+ Foundation for not only helping us with this financial grant but also providing emotional and social connectivity. Peter was slated to start high school (ninth grade) this school year. Unfortunately, his accepted school maintains a special program that does not offer a virtual learning option and the school does not allow Peter to receive any educational credits. As such, Peter will need to take a gap year. We are in the process of being matched with Fordham University through your B+ Heroes program. We are so excited that this program will be there for Peter through high school. Thank you for all the wonderful work that your organization continues to do to support kids like my son and enable them to thrive despite all the challenges they are facing. I am including few relevant pictures, including recent pictures of Peter while he continues his active treatment in Boston.
Warm regards,
Jessica”
B+ Hero Amelia
SO often, families have to lose a parent’s income while that parent stays by the child’s bedside for extended hospitalization and at-home care. But, the bills don’t stop…
“First of all, I would like to express my deepest condolences, I’m so sorry for your loss, I can only imagine how hard it is, as it is my deepest fear nowadays.
Secondly, sorry for the late response, my daughter had a brain surgery and another round of chemotherapy recently, so had to focus on those.
Mainly, our family would like to thanks you for your help with the mortgage payment. We are forever grateful that at this time and having no family or other support here, we can take a financial burden off the shoulders because of you. As I had to quit my job and we became a one income family, it has become more difficult to manage everything, especially with the medical expenses. Therefore, we thank you again and appreciate your hard work and kindness.
I’m attaching the picture of my daughter, playing around with your sign.”
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Make it a great weekend!
Live Like Andrew
Ali & Andrew’s Dad