Fri. Apr. 6th
Sorry, I’ve been a little delinquent providing an update. There’s so much to catch you up on.
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ALLIANCE FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER
I am pleased to report that The B+ Foundation has been voted in as the newest member of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer. The Alliance is a 27 member national group that consists of organizations representing medical professionals and non-profit entities such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers, Lance Armstrong Foundation, and St. Baldrick’s Foundation, to name a few. We look forward to our participation in this group and will strive to represent you well.
On behalf of the Alliance, I’m pleased to announce that registration is now open for this year’s Childhood Cancer Action Day in Washington, DC, June 4-5, 2012. We hope
you will join us for a day of issues and advocacy training and followed by a day of pre-arranged Capitol Hill visits with Congressional representatives and their staff so that members of the childhood cancer community – parents, children, and others – have the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill and advocate for important childhood cancer issues currently before Congress.
Registrations will be accepted on a first come first served basis so sign up today to reserve your spot.
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B+ COLLEGE EVENTS
We have a lot of exciting B+ events on college campuses right now.
Congratulations to Univ of North Carolina-Greensboro (UNCG) on a successful “Miss Red Rose Pageant” and to Widener University (PA) for their “Songfest” competition. Both events were very successful and extremely helpful in raising money AND awareness for our battle against childhood cancers.
Last Sunday, I gave 8 presentations to various fraternities and sororites at Clemson University in Clemson, SC. A lot of excitement is building for Beta Theta Pi’s “Beta Lei” pool party/water games event next Friday, April 13th. Thank you, Matt Floyd, Beta Theta Pi, and all of the Clemson Tigers for your hospitality and support.
Also on Friday, April 13th, the students of East Stroudsburg University in PA will be dancing away at the inaugural “Burg Boogie” to fight childhood cancers. Good luck, guys, and thank you for caring about ‘our kids’!
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2nd ANNUAL B+ COLLEGE CLASSIC
Come join us on Saturday, April 14th for the 2nd Annual B+ College Classic soccer tournament at Kirkwood Soccer Complex on Rt. 9 in New Castle, DE. There will be 2 brackets – the Men’s Bracket is called The Andrew McDonough Bracket and the Women’s Bracket is called The Amy Stevens Bracket. Amy was – and is- a good friend of Andrew’s, a standout athlete, and a young lady who died tragically in a car accident at the age of 16 in Oct. 2010.
Participating in the tournament will be:
Navy (Men & Women)
Delaware (Men & Women)
Lafayette (Men)
Temple (Men)
St. Joe’s (Men)
Millersville (Men)
Franklin & Marshall (Men)
Villanova (Women)
LaSalle (Women)
You’ll get a chance to watch some high-quality soccer up close. Admission donation is only $10, $5 if kids wear their team soccer jersey. Where can you watch so much great soccer in person at this price. First games start at 10am; last games start at 2pm.
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iCANCER APP
I was introduced to a really cool app for people battling cancer; kids or adults. If you’ve ever ‘been there’, you know that there’s a mountain of information that you try to stay on top of. This app, for only $2.99, keeps everything organized. It was created by Naomi Bartley, a 2-time cancer survivor. Check it out and share it with people who might benefit from it. Very cool tool.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icancer/id389815342?mt=8
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With the unusual confluence of the start of Passover and Good Friday falling on the same day, allow me to wish all Christians and Jews a blessed observance of these holy times. For me, personally, I will never forget Holy Week 2007 when we were in the hospital. Andrew was a young man of such strong faith. Allow me to share one such story about Andrew.
For those of you who don’t know, Andrew attended an all boys, Catholic high school. His Principal, Fr. Bill, visited us virtually every day during our 167 day hospitalization. On one particular day, Fr. Bill said “Andrew, I’m going to leave now. Let’s say the Lord’s Prayer before I go”. Keep in mind that Andrew was so heavily medicated that he hadn’t spoke in HOURS, literally. Chris, Fr. Bill, and I approached Andrew’s bed, and each laid a hand on him. Before we could start the prayer, we heard this soft voice say “Our Father, who art in Heaven….” Andrew proceeded to say every word and then went silent again. We didn’t hear him speak for HOURS. I thought my knees were going to buckle. I felt like I was watching a miracle. At the very least, I know I was watching a young man showing miraculous strength and faith.
Andrew had a very simple, yet pure and perfect, faith. One time, when he was younger, we were talking about God. Andrew said to me “I pray, and God listens!” And I believe it was very much reciprocal. — ‘God spoke to him, and Andrew listened’. I know that my boy is in Heaven with God. But, just like God suffered watching his son suffer, I suffer too. But, I know my son is where I want him to be – Heaven – I just wish it wasn’t on this timetable. May God bless you all.
Live Like Andrew
B+
Ali & Andrew’s Proud Dad