Can you imagine 650 nights in a hospital?
A Message to the B+ Nation
"Thank you so much for the generous gift. Belen was diagnosed with Infantile Leukemia when she was 4 months old. We have spent over 650 nights in the hospital since that day, including a stay of 331 straight days. We have taken an emergency flight to Fort Worth. We have driven to Philadelphia to try a new clinical trial at CHOP. Belen is oxygen-dependent due to a virus that damaged her lungs. Like many families, we are familiar with hospitals, clinics, drugs, labs, medical equipment, and travel costs. Charities help provide financial support.
But, I think your donors and prospects should know that receiving a gift from smaller charities run by families who endured our experience is much more than just money. It is hard to describe, but we receive you and your family's spirit and love. I know your little warrior is watching over our little warrior. We share a connection with you. We battle every day and it is so uplifting to see you continue to fight childhood cancer. We appreciate all the help that you and The B+ Foundation donors provide to real families battling pediatric cancer.
Warmly,
Belen's Family"
Deerfield Dash & Drive
Wow, what a great time was had by all this past Sunday. In the morning, runners and walkers battled the hills of Deerfield Golf Club for 4.5 tough miles. Chris and Ali walked the course and Chris did a great job with her remarks. B+ Board Member and Andrew's Uncle, Tom McDonough, took 1st place in his age group. I don't think we'll hear the end of that!!! :)
In the afternoon, I joined the golfers to tear up (literally) the golf course for the "Drive" portion of the day followed by a nice dinner. Thank you very much to Jeff Robinson from Deerfield and Nic DeCaire from Fusion Fitness. There are a lot of great pictures at:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.840642765948588.1073741833.731419493537583&type=3
UPCOMING EVENTS
B+ Foundation-Run Events
8th Annual B+ 5k - June 19th
Don't Delay! Register TODAY!
Sign up to run/walk the 8th Annual B+ 5K Fighting Childhood Cancer. The run/walk will take place Thursday evening, June 19th, at Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware. Sign up at: http://www.beposfdn.org/5k14/
You can join an existing team, create your own team, sign up as an individual OR create a VIRTUAL TEAM if you can't make it to Delaware on June 19th.
We will have a special guest at our 5k this year, author and former corporate executive, Pat Blewett. Pat has written a very interesting story about the ups and downs of his life and the 'behind the scenes' world of the executive corridors of MBNA and First USA. Pat has generously agreed to donate $10 from every book sold at the B+ 5k.
Don't forget to bring your change to the B+ 5k again this year as TD Bank will be on hand with their Mobile Penny Arcade. Another easy way to support The B+ Foundation.
B+ Nation-Run Events
Crossfit Wheelhouse & Crossfit Riverfront will be holding their first Crossfit Throwdown at The Starboard Restaurant, in Dewey Beach, on Saturday June 7 from 10am-2pm. Each group selected their own charity to benefit and Crossfit Wheelhouse decided to fight childhood cancer with The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation!
Stop by The Starboard THIS Saturday for the 1st Annual Battle at the Board to watch some great competition!
To support Crossfit Wheelhouse's fundraising efforts, please donate at http://bit.ly/CFWheelhouse
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Also, this Saturday, June 7th, Raymour & Flanigan will be holding a special B+ fundraiser at both North Wilmington (Concord Pike & Rocky Run Road) stores. From 10am-9pm on June 7th, get 12% off using the coupon here. And enter raffles to win savings from area businesses including a $200 GC from R&F. More details here.
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Elks Swim Club - Masters Meet: the inaugural Masters Meet was held at the Elks Swim Club in Wilmington last year and it was a LOT of fun. This year's meet will be held the day after our 5k -- Friday June 20th. To register or get more information, please email: karen.lord@bankofamerica.com
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The "Best of Delaware" Party - July 17th
Please note the correct date of July 17th as I gave you a wrong date in an earlier posting. The Best of Delaware party is a blast with a ton of food and drink from the best merchants in Delaware as voted on by the readers of Delaware Today magazine. The B+ Foundation has been selected as one of 2 beneficiaries (along with Girl Scouts) for this year's event. To purchase tickets, please visit:
http://www.delawaretoday.com/Delaware-Today/Best-of-Delaware/2014-Homepage/
and don't forget to use the promotion code "Bepos" to get $5 off your ticket. Looking forward to seeing you at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington on July 17th.
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Cape SUP Challenge - July 20thTest out your skills and stamina with either a 3 mile or 10 miles stand-up paddleboard (SUP) race in the Atlantic off the coast of Dewey Beach, DE. Once again, a really FUN event last year and we're thrilled that East of Maui has chosen The B+ Foundation to be the beneficiary once again this year. For more information, please visit:
http://www.eastofmaui.com/pages/stand_up.html
We are extremely humbled and appreciative that so many people want to organize events to help us fight childhood cancer. We are stretched pretty thin here and these B+ Nation-run events are just fantastic for raising both much-need funds but also for much-needed awareness as we fight for the 46 kids who were diagnosed TODAY.
Have you started to see more and more stories on the news about Immunotherapy (re-programmed T cells)? It really feels like this area is one that is really gaining some traction. It's still so early, but this holds so much promise as a treatment protocol alternative to chemotherapy. You, B+ Nation, have helped support some of this research at Dr. Mike Jensen's lab at the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Seattle Children's Hospital. I wish I could hit the Powerball to help accelerate this even more.
Thanks for staying with us. If you haven't been a B+ Facebook page follower, you really should check it out regularly. Ali does an AMAZING job keeping the world updated on FB at:
https://www.facebook.com/TheAndrewMcDonoughBePositiveFoundation
Thanks for your support.
Live Like Andrew!
B+
Ali & Andrew's Dad