Mon. March 21st
Last Friday was an exciting day in the nation’s capital.
One of the reasons that we struggle so much in the childhood cancer battle is the fractured nature of our organizations and the diseases. Unlike breast cancer, for example, which is primarily a singular disease, childhood cancer is actually made up of 12 major types (i.e. leukemia, Ewing’s Sarcoma, etc) and numerous minor types of childhood cancers. The battle against childhood cancer is, more appropriately, the battle against childhood CANCERS (plural).
There are SO many passionate people in the country running childhood cancer organizations, but we don’t always know who they are or work well together. To get the ball rolling – in a non-threatening way- Bob Piniewski (PAC2 http://curechildhoodcancer.ning.com/), Andy Mikulak (Max’s Ring of Fire http://www.maxsringoffire.org/), and I decided to organize a summit, if you will, of childhood cancer fighting organizations. This was not intended to be an all-inclusive gathering as we wanted to have a manageable group for this first session. So, we assembled 46 people in a hotel conference room and participants included a ‘who’s who’ of childhood cancer organizations. When we issue a research RFP, I demand that the researchers collaborate with others in their field so that we can accelerate the process of scientific discovery. How can we not hold ourselves to that same standard? By the way, the collaboration with this group is going to greatly improve the effectiveness of our research RFP process this year.
As you can imagine, it was great getting together with like-minded people but, at times, it was like herding cats. Well-meaning cats, of course! 🙂 In all seriousness, I think we took a very important step in leveraging the knowledge and passion of dedicated people around the country. A press release will be going out soon and I’ll make sure to post it here. Our meeting was a first step and there will be additional meetings, additional collaboration, and the group will be greatly expanded.
There will be plenty more to come and I’ll keep you posted.
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Nearly 2 years ago, we held an event at Barclays Bank in Wilmington called the “B+ FUN Raiser”. Lexi & Jared Goldberg, at the time middle schoolers, organized a bone marrow drive for us. I believe we signed up 95 people to the Registry that night. I am thrilled to report that a friend and supporter of The B+ Foundation was selected as a match and actually donated his bone marrow TODAY. This generous man has given hope to a 33 year old man from NY who is battling leukemia. To my friend, you have given this man life. Only in time will we know how much extended life you have given him, but you have extended his life. We were fortunate that Ali was found to be a match. Unfortunately, Andrew was too sick to receive the transplant. Iwould have paid anything for someone to be able to extend Andrew’s life and give us a little more time with him. Thank you to our donor and thank you to the Goldbergs!!!
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Please take a minute to check in on Trey and say a prayer for him. He needs it!
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/TheChemoKid/updates/2969651?client_code=chop&ipc=mur
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GUESS WHAT???
The online site for the “5th Annual B+ Fighting Childhood Cancer 5k” is now OPEN!!!
Please get your teams together, register, and start raising money. The BEST way to raise money is to send out the template email (available on the team pages) to EVERYONE in your address book. Come on, you know you send out a lot less important emails to your address book. This email could save a LIFE!!!
https://www.elleevance.com/BPos2011/EventLandingPage.aspx
We’re going to make this year the biggest and best ever!!! Join us – in person or as a sponsor of someone participating!
Thanks.
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For those in Philly, there will be a B+ fundraiser on April 1, 2011 at the Public House Logan Square from 7:30-11pm. The event sponsored by the Physician Assistant Programs of 5 Philadelphia area schools benefits The B+ Foundation entirely! There will be food and drink specials. Public House is located at 2 Logan Square. Hope to see you there! Thank you, Patricia Ajizadeh and the PA Programs for helping us with our cause.
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Live Like Andrew – try to laugh a little more today.
B+
Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad