Mon. Dec. 17th
Senseless Tragedy
I had every intention of writing an update on our sites last Friday and then, like everyone else, I learned of the tragic loss of lives in Newtown, CT.
I couldn’t write about childhood cancer. Quite honestly, I was speechless. I just feel so deeply for those poor children and those families who are dealing with this unthinkable tragedy.
As always, Ali eloquently articulated her feelings and she captured my sentiment as well. Here is what she posted on Facebook on Friday:
I can’t begin to imagine what the families who lost children this morning at Sandy Hook Elementary are going through. Losing Andrew was heartbreaking and incredibly sad, but Andrew was surrounded by people who loved him. My parents and I were with him and we were able to tell him everything we wanted to before he passed away. These poor kids weren’t with their families and their final moments were so horrific. I can’t stop thinking about it. My heart breaks for the families and children in Newtown…
May God bless these families and all who are close to them!
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B+ Hero, Emma
Unfortunately, the battle against childhood cancers doesn’t stop and we meet new families every day who hear the diagnosis that you never want to hear. One of our loyal B+ supporters and member of our B+ Running Team, Deb Lewis, shared with me the story of her relative, Emma Grace Curran. Little Emma is a 2 year old girl being treated at Vanderbilt Hospital for an inoperable brain tumor. Emma’s family only learned of this diagnosis last month. I can only imagine how their heads are spinning. Please take a minute to stop by Emma’s Caringbridge site and let the family know that you are lifting them up in prayer. I am sure that they will greatly appreciate that ‘friends they haven’t met yet’ are praying for and thinking about their little girl.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/emmagracecurran
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B+ Support from the NFL
Thanks to my good friend, Don DiRaddo, Ali and I had a chance to go on the field yesterday before the Baltimore Ravens-Denver Broncos game. Ali has gotten to know Broncos safety and former UD football star, Mike Adams. As I understand it, Mike was the first UD player to learn about Andrew’s battle when we were in the hospital and told his coaches and teammates about Andrew’s fight. Mike regularly checked in on Andrew via CaringBridge. Head coach KC Keeler and the team have been great supporters to my family personally and to The B+ Foundation overall. And, it all started with Mike “Pops” Adams.
Mike has been a very loyal supporter of our battle against childhood cancer and is always quick to use his fame to help us spread the word, whether it be through FB, Twitter, or spreading the word personally. Yesterday, in spite of all of his pre-game preparation, Mike came over to say ‘hi’ and gave Ali a hug during warm-ups and ran back to our side of the field before heading into the locker room to give Ali his gloves. Mike Adams is a classy guy with a huge heart. Pops, thanks for your continued support…and great game yesterday.
It was also a pleasure meeting another former UD standout, Ravens offensive lineman Gino Gradkowski, on the field before the game. Fame and fortune haven’t gone to these guys’ heads.
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Farewell to a VERY Loyal B+ Supporter
For anyone who has attended our B+ 5k Run/Walks at Salesianum School, one of the key people that made registration run so smoothly was Ursuline Academy teacher, Sue Wilson. Quite simply, Sue and Barbara Shinn were the best and I never even had to ask them to volunteer each year. I just knew we could count on them; it was one less thing I had to worry about. Sadly, Sue Wilson passed away yesterday. Sue lived the up and down, roller-coaster world of battling cancer over many years. The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation is better for having Sue Wilson a part of us.
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B+
Ali & Andrew’s Dad