April 8 09
I am told that there is a need for AB blood and platelets at A.I. duPont Hospital. If you are local, have AB blood, and so inclined, please contact the Blood Bank of Delmarva to schedule an appointment to donate. Thank you so much; it means a lot to the families in the hospital to know that they can count on a clean, reliable source of blood. One less thing to worry about!
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Blessings to our Jewish friends as they begin Pesach (Passover) this evening with the traditional seder. Whether you observe Passover, Easter, or are of other faiths, I hope we can all use this time to ground ourselves in what is truly important.
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I was blown away when I went to the post office the other day to pick up a certified letter. Inside was a beautiful card from Summer O’Donnell, a 16 year old girl from Swarthmore that knew Andrew. Summer and her four friends (Julia Reitenbach, Alex Duckenfield, Molly DiEnno, Valerie Keller) recently celebrated their “Sweet 16" party and asked for donations to The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. They raised nearly $2,500!!! Thank you, girls, for your kindness, generosity, and compassion. Andrew is smiling down on you; I just know it.
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In just the last month, through your generosity, we have been able to provide financial assistance to the famililes of the following critically ill children. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Zackarey (10 yr old; leukemia)
Alex (14 yr old; osteosarcoma)
Jessica (20 yr old; critical immune deficiency)
Drew (5 yr old; medulloblastoma)
Trinity (5 yr old; heart transplant)
Kelis (1 1/2 yr old; critical immune deficiency)
Ashlyn (17 yr old; AML leukemia)
Kaylee (10 yr old; AML leukemia)
Aiden (5 yr old; medulloblastoma)
Samuel (7 yr old; end stage renal disease)
Mariel (17 yr old; leukemia)
Jessica (7 yr old; HLH)
Ardy (12 yr old; AML leukemia)
Here is a quote from a Mom of one of the families that you have helped:
“I can’t even tell you how much it means. I’m shocked. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for caring, thank you for helping us, thank you for doing what you do. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means so much to us. God bless you.”
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Want to have some fun dancing to “oldies” music?
The “Healing Bridge Fund”, run by the Rykaczewski family, is holding an “Oldies Dance”.
“Bridge It With The Oldies” in honor of Bridgett Rykaczewski. Money raised helps adults and kids with cancer.
Sat. April 18th 7pm-midnight
Moose Lodge - DuPont Highway in New Castle, DE
$25 ($30 at door) - 50’s/60’s music, food, draft beer, and soda
For more information: Healingbridge78@aol.com
Also, the Healing Bridge Fund is organizing country line dancing classes ($5/class). Email Danielle for more information
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That’s enough to bore you for one day!
Seriously, thank you so much for your continued support of our mission to eradicate pediatric cancers and to help the families (in any way) who are currently in the battle.
Live Like Andrew - SMILE!
B+
Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad