April 12 10
I have just learned about a little girl who is desperately in need of a bone marrow transplant. As you may have learned from my previous posts, ethnicity plays a part in finding a match. This little girl, 4 yr old Charlotte Conybear from Bala Cynwyd, PA, is part Armenian. This presents some difficulty in finding a match. As you will see from the attached link, Armenian churches around the country are rallying to try to find a match for this girl. If you are of Armenian descent or know someone that is, PLEASE encourage them to join the Bone Marrow Registry. You just might save this little girl’s life. If you would like information on how to get tested (which is just a cheek swab), please contact me at joe@livelikeandrew.org and I’ll make sure you get added to the Registry at no cost to you.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_region/89667202.html?cmpid=15585797
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On Saturday, I had the privilege of attending “Evanfest 2010″, an all day lacrosse tournament at Malvern Prep in PA. Evanfest is named in honor of Evan Brady, a Malvern Prep student, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his freshman year and he passed away shortly after graduation. Evan’s family, Bill, Patrice, and Drew, raise money in Evan’s honor to help families that are battling these terrible childhood cancers. The generosity and compassion that the Bradys have shown to so many families, including my own, is just a remarkable tribute to their son. The Bradys are my role models as we try to help other families and ’pay it forward’. Thank you, Bill, Patrice, and Drew.
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B+ Sightings
As you will see on the homepage of www.BePositive.org, the B+ logo was present at “Amen Corner” at Augusta National, home of the Masters Tournament. Modeling his B+ shirt was Larry Kelly, father of B+ Hero, Kara Kelly.
Another B+ supporter, Emily Cunningham, was seen sporting her B+ shirt at the Grand Canyon. Her picture will also be posted on www.BePositive.org.
Thank you to everyone who spreads the B+ message far and wide.
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Here’s a delicious way to help fight childhood cancer. Iron Hill Brewery on the Christina Riverfront in Wilmington is running a promotion for the next six months whereby they will donate a portion of the proceeds from their ”Double Chocolate Hill” dessert to The B+ Foundation. What a deal! Eat some chocolate and fight childhood cancer at the same time! Oh, and if you’re fighting childhood cancer, the calories in this dessert don’t count!!!
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As difficult as life is without Andrew physically here, this journey has really shown us how many kind people are out there. When you watch the news, you hear about murders, fires, corruption, and a lot of bad things. But, there are so many nice things that happen that never get reported on. I’m still in awe of the UD students who worked so hard to raise over $100,000 to fight childhood cancer. The other day, I received an email from Alicia DeColli, a freshman at Stonehill College in MA. Alicia sent us pictures of the luminary that she designed honoring Andrew at her school’s recent Relay for Life. I don’t know that Alicia ever met Andrew, but he continues to touch her life. My brother attended a conference in Dallas last week and spoke to several people who have followed our journey and asked about our family. (Thank you, Rachel, Maggie, and Michael.) We are very thankful, overwhelmed, and blessed for our friends that we have met as well as the ‘friends we haven’t met yet’. (For those of you new to our site, ’strangers’ just doesn’t seem like the right word.) I love when people stop me in the bank or store and ask what “B+” means (yes, I wear B+ gear all the time! :) It gives me a chance to talk about Andrew and our mission.
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I frequently sign off by saying “Live Like Andrew — Smile” because when I think of my son, I always think of his million watt smile and how he just lit up any room. Things didn’t always go Andrew’s way, but he grew to a point where he handled adversity well and found a way to smile through it all. He was a really happy person. And, as a result, it rubbed off on everybody who came in contact with him. Andrew, “I’m better for the smile you give”. (That’s a line from one of my favorite songs and, when I heard it on the radio the other day, I couldn’t help but think of Andrew.)
B+
Blessed to be,
Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad
www.BePositive.org