Mon. Feb. 21st
This weekend, I had the pleasure of once again attending, and feeling the magic, of THON. THON, held at Penn State, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world! Get ready for this — this year, THON raised $9,563,016 for the fight against childhood cancer. THON is one of those events that you just have to see in person to truly feel the magic. THON has been in existence since the early 1970’s and is the model for many of our events on campuses across the country. The THON organizers are always so helpful and generous in sharing their expertise with us.
On Saturday, we (me, Ali, Katie, and some students from UD) had the privilege of meeting Mr. Charles Millard and his daughter, Stacia. Mr. Millard started The Four Diamonds Fund when his 14 year old son, Christopher, died back in the early ’70’s. THON benefits The Four Diamonds Fund and the Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center. It was eery how connected I felt to Mr. Millard. When he was talking, the words coming out of his mouth are words that I speak all the time. He is a role model!
CONGRATULATIONS Penn State students and alums!!!!
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Believe it or not, there are often scams about sick children requesting greeting cards. This one, though, I believe is legit. And, it won’t cost you anything. This child, who goes by the nickname Biz, is a 12 yr old girl being treated for cancer at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. They are trying to ‘paper’ her room with e-cards that you can send via the hospital’s website. Biz is in building A, in Room 538. If you get a minute, please put a smile on Biz’s face by sending her an e-card. Thanks.
http://www.cincinnatichildrensorg/
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I’d like to thank the Ursuline/Salesianum/St. Mark’s TAP group for organizing a B+ fundraiser at yesterday’s Salesianum-St. Mark’s basketball game. Thank you for raising money but, more importantly, for raising awareness about childhood cancers. We need to open people’s minds and hearts before we open their wallets.
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“B+ College Classic” – We are very excited about our upcoming college soccer tournament on April 16th at Kirkwood Soccer Complex in New Castle, DE. The men’s teams will be in the Andrew McDonough Bracket and the women’s teams will fall under the Amy Stevens Bracket. Amy is a friend of Andrew’s who was a star soccer player and died tragically in a car accident last fall. The men’s teams will be Delaware, Navy, Villanova, Temple, Lafayette, and Monmouth. The women’s teams will be Maryland, Villanova, Princeton, and Navy. Please mark your calendars for 10am-3pm on April 16th. Great soccer and a great cause.
We would really love to get some additional sponsors, so please contact me at joe@livelikeandrew.org if your company/organization would like to be involved in a very big regional event. Thank you to Horizon Services for being our lead sponsor. As you read about the “Featured Family of the Week” below, please think hard about people who you might now that may be potential sponsors for us. Thanks!
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Featured Family of the Week
Please allow me to introduce you to 12 yr old, Gloria. At age 10, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor that required her to undergo 6 rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments on her brain and spine.
She was ‘cancer-free’ for about a year when she was then diagnosed with AML (leukemia – like Andrew). The radiation from the brain tumor has caused vision problems.
Unfortunately, last week, the family learned that the brain tumor has returned. She is unable to have any more radiation in that particular area of her brain and chemo is not an option either. The family is now searching for alternative therapies for their little girl.
Gloria’s Mom is no longer working so that she can be by Gloria’s bedside. The family’s annual income is $11,000.
Thanks to your support, The B+ Foundation will be assisting Gloria and her family. We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you!
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Live Like Andrew – think of others before yourself…and in this case, it’s all FTK (Penn State’s motto – For The Kids!)
B+
Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad