Busy, busy week!
It's been a busy week in the fight against childhood cancer!
Campus Outreach
A week ago Sunday, I had the privilege of giving 5 talks at the University of Texas in Austin. While tremendously exhausting, it really is a privilege to introduce new college students to Andrew, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, and our mission to fight childhood cancers. I don't know what we would do without the support of young people. So much of the impact we make is made possible by students.
The following day, I made my first visit to Tuscaloosa and the campus of The University of Alabama. Wow, their football team is not the only impressive thing there. I was very impressed by all of the students that I met there and their Greek houses (fraternity and sorority) are out of this world. They look like big old Southern mansions. I gave 5 more talks here in anticipation of their 2nd Annual B+ Spin-a-thon coming up in October. Roll Tide!
On Wednesday, it was back to my alma mater and the engine of The B+ Foundation, UDance! As you may recall, UDance 2016 raised $1.7 MILLION for The B+ Foundation last Spring. The 60+ member Board is hard at work planning for next March's event and I got the opportunity to speak to the student leaders for fraternities, sororities, and RSOs (campus speak for Registered Student Organizations - clubs and other organizations). There's a lot of passion and excitement building for UDance 2017. And, I would be remiss if I didn't mention how impressed I was to see about 15 or so UDance Exec Board Members at B+ Hero Alex Blythe's funeral. #family
Shifting Gears
On Thursday & Friday, I shifted gears (no pun intended Hyundai) as I headed to Washington, DC for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month activities. On Thursday, I was honored to attend the Hyundai Thought Leaders Summit followed by the Golden Toast at the Library of Congress. The Golden Toast honors the congressional leaders of the Congressional Pediatric Cancer Caucus, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). I got what I think is a cool picture of Andrew on the screen, with Rep. McCaul and James Madison behind him!
Kudos to Hyundai for taking such a strong corporate leadership role in the fight against childhood cancer. Let's hope more companies follow your lead.
Friday morning started with the Congressional Pediatric Cancer Caucus and updates from Greg Simon, the head of VP Biden's Moonshot Project and Dr. Doug Lowy, Acting Director of the National Cancer Institute. The fact that both of these guys agreed to address this group shows the progress that's being made in our fight. I'm not saying that we're anywhere close to where we should be in America's consciousness, but you do have to celebrate the small steps.
10th Annual B+ Golf Outing, Dinner, & Auction
The weather was great, the course was in nice shape, we had a good-sized crowd for golf and for dinner, and we were inspired by the words of a B+ Hero Dad, Andrew Weiss. I think Andrew helped provide a peak into the world of childhood cancer and reminded the audience just how fast your life can change. I also had the opportunity to publicly recognize two of our strongest supporters, Dave Geiger and Mark Aitken of Horizon Services with our Heart of a Champion award. Thank you to everyone who supported this great event.
Pizza Anyone?
All month, Seasons Pizza locations in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania have once again been observing Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by raising awareness and money for The B+ Foundation. Whether you dine in or take out, you can add $1, $3, or $5 to your bill as a donation to our cause. And, this Thursday, Sept 29th, Seasons will add an extra donation to The B+ Foundation for every large or extra large pizza purchased. If you live in an area with a Seasons Pizza, no need to cook on Thursday. :)
We want to thank Chick-fil-A Concord Mall for supporting us this month as well. They are also hosting a $1/$3/$5 fundraiser every day of the month of September. Please stop in and thank them for their support.
Joey Logano Foundation Selects The B+ Foundation
NASCAR Sprint Cup driver, Joey Logano, and his wife, Brittany, have selected The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation as their locally-based charity as NASCAR rolls into Dover, Delaware this weekend. For each race of the Chase (the NASCAR 'play-offs'), the Joey Logano Foundation is selecting a charity to support. The Joey Logano Foundation has awarded The B+ Foundation $10,000 for our Family Assistance Program and 60 tickets for B+ Hero Families to attend Sunday's Spring Cup race and....the opportunity to meet Joey before the race!!! It's going to be a great weekend.
Take a look at what Joey says about The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation by clicking here.
Thank you Joey & Brittany! #FirstClass
Today, 46 innocent kids were diagnosed. We're making progress, but there's a lot more to do. To a world where kids get a chance to grow up...
Live Like Andrew!
Ali & Andrew's Dad