All Kinds of Good News!
Thank you all for your kind words of support on Andrew's birthday. It really means a lot to us. We got through it...together.
Research
As I write this update, I'm 30,000 feet in the air leaving the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Fall Meeting in Atlanta. As I've written in the past, the COG is the world's largest group of hospitals and researchers dedicated to fighting childhood cancer. I feel very honored that we are one of only a few charities invited to participate in this meeting. I can't say that I understand everything that is being discussed ;) but it is FASCINATING.
There are SO many exciting studies being undertaken across all disease groups within childhood cancers. And, aside from the biology, there's also really interesting work being done in the Behavioral Science (psycho-social) side of treatment. It's also nice to catch up with some of the investigators that we are currently supporting financially with research grants. Of course, research does NOT move as quickly as I would like, but please trust me that I have been convinced that we are in a VERY exciting time in childhood cancer research and we must continue to fund it as aggressively as possible.
In that vein, our 2019 research grant cycle closes at 5:00pm EST today. When I last checked, we had about 65 proposals submitted. Our B+ Scientific Advisory Board will triage these proposals down to approximately 20-25 and those applications will be scrutinized by them. This process will take about 2 months and in November, we will announce the 10 recipients. Each award will be for $150,000 ($75k/yr for 2 years) for a total of $1,500,000 awarded in this cycle! YOU make it possible. Thank you.
13th Annual B+ Golf Outing, Dinner, & Auction - Sept 23 - DuPont Country Club
There's still time to register to join us as a golfer, dinner guest, or just for cocktails. Please visit www.BePositive.org and scroll down until you see the Golf Outing write-up. We're always looking for unique auction packages (especially sports tickets or travel items), so please reach out to me at Joe@LiveLikeAndrew.org if you'd like to contribute.
State of Delaware Employees
State workers in Delaware can donate to The B+ Foundation through your SECC. Please take a moment to include us in your giving plans. It hurts less when it comes out of each paycheck. ;)
Farmapalooza
Thanks for your continued support. If you want to hear some great music tomorrow (Sat. 9/14) and live in the Delaware Valley, come out to Farmapalooza (details on our website). B+ Board Member and rock star, Brian Nolan, is the organizer of this and has Mark Farner, frontman for Grand Funk Railroad, on stage this year.
Make it a great weekend.
Live Like Andrew
B+
Ali & Andrew's Dad