Sun. Aug. 7th

I wasn’t able to post a Journal Update last Friday as I was in Dallas presenting to the national convention of the Kappa Delta Rho (KDR) fraternity. As you may recall, KDR selected The B+ Foundation last year as one of their national philanthropies.  This is a great honor and we are deeply humbled and appreciative for this support.  Several KDR chapters did B+ events on their campuses this past school year and we’re hoping to double or triple that number this coming year.  One of the KDR schools that we work with is Radford University in Virginia.  The KDR President at Radford, Brian Kincaid, is very much behind the effort to fight for the kids fighting cancer.  Ironically, a few months ago, Brian was diagnosed with leukemia.  Please keep Brian in your prayers.  I know he’s a great young man because he is a diehard Eagles fan while living in Redskins country!!!

On a very personal note, it was a very emotional trip for me.  The last time I was in Dallas was on a business trip with Andrew.  Andrew was in 8th grade and I invited him to join me for a visit to a Dallas Stars hockey game (it really was business :).   Knowing how much Andrew liked money, I surprised him by driving right from the airport to Ft. Worth so that we could get to the Bureau of Printing & Engraving before they closed.  It was SO cool watching them make millions and millions of dollar of US currency.  That night, we went to the Stars game and had a blast…just the 2 of us.  The next morning, we went to Dealey Plaza so that I could show Andrew where President Kennedy was killed and then onto a really cool aquarium/zoo.  From there, we raced back to DFW and flew home.  We weren’t in Dallas long, but we packed a lot into our time there. 

I had so much fun with Andrew in Dallas!  I started to tear up when we landed in Dallas last Thursday.  All I could think about during this whole trip was my buddy.  I’m so glad that Andrew and I had a chance to take that trip together; I would give anything if we could just do it again.

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On Wednesday of last week, I had the privilege of addressing the 268 members of the Thomas Jefferson Medical College Class of 2015.  Whether it is me or another patient family, I think it’s a great idea for the first year medical school students to hear from a patient family.  I thank Dr. Charlie Pohl for having the wisdom to include this in their program.  The students showed great respect and I received several notes afterward.  I hope and pray that maybe one little snippet of what I said will stay with the students throughout school and into their careers as doctors.

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Featured Family of the Week

This past week, we reviewed – and approved- a particularly sad application.  While ALL of our applications are sad, this application came from a family that, prior to their daughter’s diagnosis of cancer, was living in a tent.  The social worker at the hospital was able to get the family lodging in the local Ronald McDonald House while the little girl undergoes treatment for cancer.  Needless to say, this family doesn’t have insurance and is absolutely going to need to find a cleaner place to take their daughter and sister home to.  As patient families can relate to, there will be dressing changes and medicine that will need to be administered and, conceivably, a port that will need to be accessed.  I’m hoping that, perhaps with the assistance of the social worker, one of the parents can find work again to help them get on their feet financially.  They have a long and scary road ahead of them.  Please keep them – and all of the kids – in your prayers.

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I want to share a story of kindness with you.  About a month ago, I wrote about two different families who were in dire need of financial help to pay for their child’s funeral.  In one case, the funeral home refused to release the body without a larger downpayment on the bill.  Many of our B+ supporters were touched by these two stories and offered assistance.  Joe Rykaczewski, father of Bridgett, offered  assistance from Bridgett’s “Healing Bridge” Foundation.  Like me, Joe is living life without a child in this world.  Bridgett, whose birthday is coming up on August 11th, was almost 26 years old when she died of ovarian cancer on July 29, 2004.  Through the tragedy of Bridgett’s death and the support of her family and friends, she was able to help these poor families dealing with the loss of their children.  Thank you to Bridgett’s family and friends, and most especially to Bridgett up in Heaven for inspiring this kindness in your family and friends.

Upcoming Events:

August 18th – B+ Night at “Annie” at the New Candlelight Dinner Theatre (NCT) in Arden, DE —  Mention “B+” when purchasing your tickets anytime during the run of Annie, and our Foundation will receive a portion of the ticket sales.  Additionally, join us on Aug. 18th for the special “B+ Night” when NCT will host several of our B+ Heroes and their families.  For more information, please visit:  http://www.nctstage.org/Main_Stage_Shows.html

August 19th – B+ Night at the Wilmington Blue Rocks  —  Join us for a night of family fun with the Kansas City Royals’ Class A minor league baseball team.  Come support our B+ Heroes as they throw out the first pitch and take the field with the players for the National Anthem.  The players will also be wearing our B+ logo on their uniforms and the jerseys will be auctioned off after the game.  Don’t ask me why, but the players will be wearing a “Toy Story”-themed uniform for that game as well.  You’ve just got to see that uniform!   http://76.12.197.222/documents/BlueRocks2011.pdf

August 24th – Beach Party at the Christiana Hilton (Churchman’s Rd) — Thanks to the Christiana Hilton and primary sponsor, the Christiana Rotary, The B+ Foundation will be the beneficiary of a big pool party on Aug. 24th.  There will be a TON of cool auction items and I understand a cruise will be raffled off as well.  There will be great food and drinks and all for a good cause.  Please stop down after work to the Christiana Hilton on Churchman’s Rd. just off of I-95 near the Christiana Hospital.

Hope you’ll join us!
Thanks.

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Live Like Andrew — make a difference in the world TODAY!

B+

Ali & Andrew’s Dad

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

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Tues. Aug. 2nd