Happy New Year!
I hope you all enjoyed the holidays and I pray that 2017 will be a year of happiness and good health for B+ Nation. I hope 2017 is the year when we see the incidence rate of childhood cancer reverse and DECREASE rather than continue to increase. I hope 2017 will be remembered as the year when one of the 16 major types of childhood cancer was cured. Or, at the very least, new, gentler and more effective treatment options are developed. I went to 4 children's funerals in 2016...that's just unacceptable. I gave a eulogy at two of those. How do you do justice to a wonderful young life in just a few minutes? While I have to admit that I'm not particularly optimistic, I hope 2017 is a year that we see an increase in federal funding of childhood cancer research.
I want to thank you all for your tremendous support in 2016. Your loyalty, notes, generosity, and support mean so much to us. In 2016, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation provided financial assistance to 2,200 families of kids with cancer nationwide. I don't know of a bigger provider of financial assistance to kids with cancer in the country than The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. We also funded some really exciting research that is literally saving kids' lives and giving hope to so many families of kids with cancer. We couldn't do it without the support of the 89 colleges and schools across the country that host B+ events. You have embraced the B+ mission and are truly "Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer"®. B+ Nation, you are changing the world and you are furthering Andrew's legacy and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Because of you, Andrew "lives" on...not the way we want, but it's still very special.
The job is nowhere near done. We are making good progress, but as I write this, 46 kids will be diagnosed with cancer just today. That's just unacceptable. Please stay with us in 2017 as we fight for the kids and please make a resolution to introduce The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation to 5 of your friends this year. Let's build the movement.
Live Like Andrew
B+
Ali & Andrew's Dad
