Thurs. March 7th
Sorry, I’ve been a little delinquent in my updates. I’ve got a lot to share with you.
Andrew McDonough Honored
Last night, Cuddle My Kids (www.cuddlemykids.org), an organization dedicated to providing help to families of adults battling cancer, held their annual dinner in Malvern, PA. The event was an amazing success; a complete 350 person sell-out. Cuddle My Kids presents two awards annually and this year, they presented the Margie Gormley Goodwin Award posthumously to Andrew McDonough! This was not recognition for Andrew’s foundation, but for Andrew himself. That’s what made last night so special. And so hard. I, obviously, think they made a wonderful choice with their award, but I just wish Andrew could have been up on stage rather than us. Thank you, Cuddly My Kids, for honoring our son and brother!
Wedding Raises Money to Fight Childhood Cancer
Jessie Forman (UD AEPhi) and Jason Seavey (UD Kappa Sigma) have been great supporters of The B+ Foundation. They were members of our inaugural marathon team at the Hamptons last year and Jessie gave birth to UDance at the University of Delaware. To continue their support of our battle against childhood cancer, Jessie and Jason raised awareness and money for the cause at their wedding last weekend. Their guests received notices about The B+ Foundation and money was donated to the Foundation in lieu of party favors. Congratulations, Jessie and Jason, and thank you for caring about our kids.
B+ Hero, Joey B., Hits 100 Day Mark
My boy, Joey B, celebrated 100 days post bone marrow transplant yesterday. All of his favorite foods that he wasn’t allowed to eat (i.e. McNuggets) are now on fair game. Go wild, Joe! Joey, Casey, Theri, Marty, we couldn’t be happier for you. Congratulations and sending you prayers for continued progress! Oh, and by the way, Joey’s new blood type IS B+!!!
UDance is Almost Here
UDance, the 12 hour dance marathon at the University of Delaware, is scheduled for 11am-11pm this coming Sunday, March 10th at the UD Field House. EVERYONE is welcome to attend. The B+ Heroes will be recognized on stage at 5pm, so if you only have a little time, that would be a great time to join us. B+ Foundation Program Director, Carly Bergstein, will be one of the two emcees for the 12 hour event!
There have been a lot of really cool and creative fundraising for UDance. Tuesday evening, I was on campus for Chi Omega and FIJI’s “Gentlemen Showcase”. It was a RIOT!!! Thirteen fraternity guys were auctioned off at a standing room only event. While some of the auctioned off guys may be going on dates with the winners, I think most of the guys are going to be doing a lot of work. I heard several buyers talking about how their guys were going to be cleaning their apartments, washing cars, and other fun stuff like that. It was really a lot of fun to watch and the raised an amazing $5,179 to fight childhood cancers. Thank you, Chi O and FIJI!
Al Carter and Grammy Award-Winning Producer, Jim Jonsin, Throw Party for The B+ Foundation
Following last weekend’s Grand-Am road race in Austin, TX, B+ Racing driver, Al Carter, and Rebel Rock driver and Grammy Award winner, Jim Jonsin, hosted a party and concert at a club in Austin, TX. A name that you will come to know, Leroy Sanchez, performed and bowled the crowd over with his talent. Leroy and Jim both spoke highly of The B+ Foundation from the stage and I had the opportunity to address the crowd and introduce them to our Foundation and our crusade. None of it would have been possible if not for the continued dedication and support of our friend, Al Carter! Thank you, gentlemen. As I’ve said many times, we have a story to tell. We just need doors opened for us. Thanks for opening a few more doors.
SalsThon is on Fire!
SalsThon is a dance marathon on Sat. March 16th at Andrew’s high school, Salesianum. With assistance from Salesianum’s sister schools, Ursuline (Ali’s alma mater) and Padua, the students will be holding a 9 hour dance marathon that will run from 9pm-6am. At the conclusion of the dance marathon, there will be an optional mass. That’s not your typical way to end a dance marathon. I think that’s pretty cool. I cannot say enough good things about the young men at Sallies.
We met with them several months ago and I told them how much it would mean to me for them to honor their Salesian brother, Andrew, by holding this event. They not only agreed, but they embraced this in a way that I can’t even describe. This isn’t just another event to raise money to fight childhood cancer. This one is very, very personal. This is the community that Andrew felt so much a part of. Andrew went to a Salesianum dance on Fri. Jan. 26, 2007 and, of course unbeknownst to us, he would never walk back into the school again. In the very room where the dance marathon will be held, we held the Celebration of Andrew’s Life in 2007 and we received Andrew’s diploma in 2010.
The Sallies guys literally had SalsThon trending on Twitter in Philadelphia. They’ve connected with celebrities all over the country, done media interviews, and get this, they have raised north of $50,000! There will be special guests such as Sallies grad and Atlanta Falcons Tight End, Andrew Szczerba, and a video from former Sallies student and current star of the hit ABC sitcom The Middle, Charlie McDermott (Axel).
HawkFest 2013
Not to be overshadowed, St. George’s Vo-Tech will also be hosting a B+ dance marathon on March 16th. St. George’s is the first high school to ever ‘adopt’ a B+ Hero and they have been absolutely awesome to Nathan Silpath. If you go to St. George’s, you will literally see B+ stickers on the windows of every classroom. I am so proud and touched by the way the students, teachers, and administrators have embraced our crusade and put smiles on the faces of Nathan and his family.
Whew! As you can see, we’ve got a few things going on. And, that’s a great thing!
Thank you all for your support and I encourage everyone to think about what you can do, today, to help us create a world without childhood cancer.
Live Like Andrew!
B+
Ali & Andrew’s Dad