Fri. May 10th
Ali’s Update
If you didn’t get a chance to read Ali’s update from Wed. May 8th ( www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough) , you might find it worth your time. I’m obviously biased, but she expresses herself so well and I think you’ll find her insights very interesting.
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Featured Family of the Week
Today, I’d like to introduce you to beautiful little Sapphire. Sapphire is battling leukemia. One week before Sapphire’s diagnosis, her Mom, Summar, was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer! On the back of this picture, Summar wrote “Our family is so grateful for the recent gift from The B+ Foundation. We are so appreciative of the kindness of your donors…what a difference such a contribution can make.” As their card says “Our Journey Has Begun…”…thank you B+ Nation for helping Summar and Sapphire’s journey just a little bit easier.
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“Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer” Bake Sale – Sat. May 11th
Two local families – the Munch and Gramiak kids – are back at it for their 2nd annual “Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer Bake Sale” to benefit The B+ Foundation. For those of you in Delaware, you know that the Wilmington Flower Market is going on this weekend and these kids are no dummies. They are setting up their stand on the corner of their street (19th & Brinckle) which just happens to be across from Rockford Park, the site of the Flower Market. So, if you’re going to the Flower Market, please swing by the “Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer Bake Sale”. Pick up some treats for Mom!
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B+ Running Team – Delaware Marathon
This Sunday, we will have 26 runners of the B+ Running Team participating in the Delaware Marathon/Half Marathon. Twenty-four will be running the half and Shelli Lynch and Adam Levine are crazy enough to run the full marathon! The team has done an amazing job raising awareness and money to help us fight childhood cancer. We had a great time last fall at the Hamptons Marathon and I’m confident that this weekend will be even better. Come out and cheer on our runners…you’ll recognize them with their cool-looking, gold B+ Running Team shirts. Think about joining our team for future half or full marathons…we have seasoned veterans and first-timers.
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North Star Elementary School
I enjoy going around the region – and country- talking to groups about the battle against childhood cancer and what it means to “Live Like Andrew” and “Be Positive”. It’s a message that we can all appreciate. I especially enjoy speaking with kids and I had the privilege of returning for the 4th year in a row for a visit with the 5th graders at North Star Elementary School in Hockessin, DE. I applaud the teachers and administration at North Star for incorporating an annual service project into the 5th grade curriculum. For the past few years, the 5th graders have raised between $3,000-$4,000 for The B+ Foundation by doing extra chores at home and seeking support from local businesses. The kids really embrace the notion of “Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer”. If you’re reading this from Montana or Texas or England, please give this some thought. This idea works anywhere. Thank you, North Star Elementary School!
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Introduction to a New B+ Hero – Taylor Helland
Please take a few minutes today and visit Taylor Helland’s Caringbridge site and show her some love and support from the B+ Nation. Taylor is a beautiful young Texan who battled through 12 rounds of chemo for colon cancer. Unfortunately, her cancer has returned as two large tumors were found in her abdomen last September. She was originally treated at Cook Children’s Hospital in Ft. Worth and is now at MD Anderson in Houston, both hospitals where we’ve helped a lot of families.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/taylorhelland
Taylor’s doctor is involved in some very exciting research into Taylor’s cancer and was in need of funding to move forward with her work. The local high school raised $15,000 but that left a $20,000 shortfall. Thanks to your generous support, The B+ Foundation reviewed this research and we decided to give a $20,000 grant to this doctor/investigator at MD Anderson so that the study can move forward. Please keep Taylor, her family, and all of the researchers in your prayers.
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Thank You Brooklyn College and SUNY- New Paltz
This past weekend, we had inaugural B+ events at both Brooklyn College and the State University of New York- New Paltz. We thank all of the students for embracing our cause and increasing awareness and money for our battle for the kids! Can’t wait for next year’s events!
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Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful Mom and I know she’s watching over us from Heaven. Ali and Andrew are also so blessed to have Chris as a Mom. She inspires me every day!
MAKE it a great weekend!
B+
Ali & Andrew’s Dad