Tues. June 25th
Thank You for a Successful B+ 5k
Thanks to the 2,000 or so folks who joined us as participants and spectators for last Thursday’s 7th Annual B+ 5k. The weather was perfect, Julie Williams (sister of a friend of Andrew’s) ran a state record 17:51, and most importantly, we honored a lot of brave B+ Heroes & Sibling Heroes! You made it possible for us to raise about $90,000 to fund research and help families of kids with cancer.
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Paddling to Cure Childhood Cancer
Thanks to Alfred duPont and all of our friends at East of Maui Surf Shop (Dewey Beach and Lewes, DE) for hosting the Inaugural Cape SUP Challenge. Chris and I had the pleasure of seeing the elite competitors off Saturday morning as they paddled through the ocean for 10 miles from Dewey Beach to Lewes. There were also shorter races as well. Congratulations to all of the participants including B+ race car driver, Al Carter, who completed his first 10 miler.
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Adult Swim Meet to Benefit B+
This is a really cool event — an adult swim meet (translation — we should be doing this all over the country 🙂
The Elks Swim Club in Wilmington, DE will host the First Annual Masters Meet to benefit The B+ Foundation this Friday June 28th. There will be brief comments at 5:45 PM and the
meet starts at 6:00 P.M. The Elks Swim Club is home to B+ Hero, Savannah Pauley, who went to Heaven at the age of 10 following a courageous battle with cancer. Come out and support a great cause at:
The Wilmington Elks Swim Club, 1310 Caruthers Lane, Wilmington 19803
(located behind both Rock Manor Golf Course and The Wilmington Skating Club)
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Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer
I don’t want to mention her full name and embarrass her (because she doesn’t do these things for recognition), but I must tell you about the generosity and kindness of an 18 year old young lady. Not only did Haley single-handedly bring a B+ dance to her high school last year, but she sent us a check for $500 recently from her graduation money. She will be reporting to the U.S. Naval Academy this week for Plebe Summer. Probably doesn’t surprise you that she has been selected for the Naval Academy, does it? SO impressed!!!
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A Great Honor
We received an email the other day that literally brought tears to my eyes. Some friends wrote to us to share the news of the birth of two new grandchildren. That’s always nice to hear about, but I was blown away to learn that the parents of one of the babies named their child “Andrew John” in honor of our boy!!! As the father of a child who left this world after such a short time, it’s so important to me to know that my son ‘lives’ on. I can’t accept that Andrew could be forgotten. He ‘lives on’ in so many ways…I love hearing people say that they still talk about Andrew at home; whether they ever met him or not. Naming a child after my son is a tremendous honor and my family and I are deeply touched and humbled. Thank you!!!
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Featured Family of the Week
Allow me to introduce you to Jewel. Jewel turns 3 months old today! This little girl was born at 34 weeks gestation and was diagnosed with cancer AT BIRTH! Local resection (surgery to reduce the size of the lesion) was not possible and Jewel had an above the wrist amputation at 1 month old. Due to her age and development stage, she did not immediately receive chemotherapy. Unfortunately, a month later, she presented with a new lump under her arm and is now receiving chemo. Her Mom is a single Mom of three kids. She is currently on FMLA which is due to expire very soon. Mom is planning on quitting her job so that she can devote herself full-time to Jewel and her needs…along with the other kids. The B+ Foundation has approved Mom’s request for assistance.
Because of all of you, B+ Nation, we are able to help Jewel’s family. Jewel’s family is but one of the 1,000 families that we expect to help in 2013. Because of you, The B+ Foundation is one of the largest grantors of financial assistance to families of kids with cancer in the country. Thank you!
Thanks for enabling us to help so many!
Live Like Andrew!
B+
Ali & Andrew’s Dad