Thurs. July 21st

It has been a week since the 4th anniversary of Andrew’s passing.  Words cannot describe how proud I am of Ali, her love for Andrew, and how well she is coping.  Don’t ever think it is easy, though.  Like Chris and I, she’s a good actor.  Thank you all very much for the kind words as we survived through last week.  Boy, do we miss Andrew!!!

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This sure has been a busy week! 

This is “B+ Race Week” and, as such, we had a kick-off cocktail party at B+ driver, Hugh Plumb’s house on Tuesday night.  It was a great night and I really appreciate being given the opportunity to introduce so many new friends to The B+ Foundation and our battle against childhood cancers.  A lot of money was also raised for a children’s cancer clinical trial project that we’re working on.  More about that to come…Thank you to everyone who played a part in making Tuesday night so successful.

Yesterday, we had 2 pace cars, our B+ race car, and Al Carter’s other BMW race car in Rodney Square in Wilmington.  Following a few hours of autograph signing and remarks from the Mayor of Wilmington, we headed to A.I. duPont Hospital for Children as part of a police motorcade.  Now that is the way to travel!!!   The highlight for me was getting on I-95 and looking to my left to see ALL northbound lanes closed for us.  At A.I., we visited with many of the children battling cancer and Al & Hugh signed autographs.  Another highlight of our visit was that we were accompanied by internationally-acclaimed French artist, Erwin Dazelle.  Erwin flew in from Paris on Tuesday and, with the help of the children of 3C North, they painted a triptych mural (see below).  I can’t wait to post a picture of the final masterpiece.  Thank you, Erwin, for your kindness and support.  We got a LOT of media support from yesterday’s activities, so I was very pleased with that.  As I’ve said before, we don’t seek the attention for us, but the more that the spotlight shines on this terrible secret of 46 kids being diagnosed each day, the closer I feel we get to improving the situation.

On Saturday, we will be hosting several dozen B+ Heroes and their families for “The B+ Foundation Heroes 200” race at NJ Motorsports Park in Millville, NJ.  B+ Hero, Drew Koenig, will drop the green flag to start the race.  I know it will be kind of chilly — heat index at the track will probably be around 115 — but it will still be a lot of fun.  Tickets are still available, so if you’re local, come join us.

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Once again this year, the New Candlelight Theatre (NCT) in Arden, DE has generously offered to raise funds for The B+ Foundation during their run of “Annie” this summer (through Aug. 21st).  Five dollars from every ticket purchased will be donated to us.  Please make sure you mention “B+ Foundation” on the phone or online.  Additionally, NCT will be hosting us B+ Heroes on Thursday, August 18th.  Please come out and watch GREAT dinner theatre and support The B+ Foundation.  For more information, please visit  http://www.nctstage.org/ .  Thanks NCT!

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Four years ago today, about 2,000 people joined us in the gymnasium of Salesianum School to honor Andrew at his memorial service.  Obviously, it was such an excruciatingly difficult day, but also a day with some smiles.  We were deeply touched that so many friends — old friends, new friends, and ‘friends we hadn’t met yet’ — took time out of their lives to pay their respects to our boy.  It means so much to me that Andrew continues to touch so many lives — from Heaven.

At the end of the service, at Chris’ & Ali’s request, Jeff Skidmore and Alyssa DiNardo sang a beautiful duet from the Broadway show “Wicked”.  The song is called “For Good”.

“I do believe that I have been changed for the better.  And, because I knew you, I have been changed FOR GOOD”.

During our stay in the hospital, we told you that there was enough of Andrew for everyone to adopt him.  You did.  And I know for certain that I have been “changed for the better” and Andrew has certainly changed me “FOR GOOD”.  Through your ‘adoption’ of Andrew and everything he stood for and The B+ Foundation stands for, you are showing us that you, too, have been “changed for the better” and changed “FOR GOOD”.  Let’s keep honoring Andrew, protecting our kids, and changing the world!!!

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Today is the most important day of your life.  Make the most of it.

B+

Live Like Andrew

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

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Wed. July 27th

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Thurs. July 14th