Advocating for the Kids!
Making Our Voices Heard
This year, we had the largest contingent of B+ families join me for "Action Days" on Capitol Hill. Action Days are sponsored by the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, a collaboration of about 25 different organizations, including The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. The Alliance consists of both advocacy organizations (like us) and professional organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In the nearly 11 years since Andrew died, I've never been more optimistic about government support of our battle against childhood cancer. The STAR Act, the most comprehensive piece of legislation, born largely out of the Alliance, has passed the Senate and just needs to be passed by the House before moving on to the President's desk for signature. We have 364 Co-Sponsors in the House, which is nothing short of amazing. How many pieces of legislation do you know that have bi-partisan and bi-cameral support in Washington???!!! A debt of gratitude goes out to our biggest champion in the House, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) in the Senate. Locally, I would like to thank the Delaware delegation of Senators Carper and Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester for their support. Stay tuned! (Btw, STAR stands for Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research.)
I was honored to have B+ Hero families from Delaware, Maryland, New York, and North Dakota join me as part of Team B+. It was a very powerful day. Here are a few pictures of our visits with Sens. Carper & Coons.
B+ Hero Danny
Yesterday, I had the privilege and pleasure of checking in on my buddy, B+ Hero Danny Feltwell. Danny is 9 years old and he was diagnosed at 2. After being off treatment for 4 years and 8 months, Danny's cancer relapsed on Dec. 28, 2017. Last month, Danny had a bone marrow transplant. Danny and his Dad, Dan, are two tremendously brave guys who have been through so much. They really do epitomize the B+ attitude. Please keep this dynamic duo in your prayers.
Enjoy the weekend.
B+
Ali & Andrew's Dad