Tues. Sept. 17th
Life at The B+ Foundation has been very busy lately…sorry for being so delinquent with my updates.
Let’s start with our Featured B+ Hero of the Week
Logan is a 15 year old from FL who is battling Lymphoma. Please take a look at Logan’s nice note to us.
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Congressional Pediatric Cancer Caucus
On Thursday, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) will convene the 4th Annual Meeting of the Congressional Pediatric Cancer Caucus. I remember attending the first meeting and I think the Caucus was comprised of about 10-15 Members of Congress. Thanks to the hard work of Reps. McCaul’s and Hollen’s staff, the Alliance for Childhood Cancer, Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy, and many others, the group now consists of about 150 Members of Congress. I am proud to say that our local Representative, Congressman John Carney, recently joined the Caucus as well.
Has there been a huge shift in federal funding of childhood cancer research? No, not yet. But, I am optimistic that we are succeeding in raising the issue in the consciousness of our elected officials and I think that’s a good first step. But, there is SO much more to do.
Wednesday evening, The B+ Foundation will be one of the groups co-hosting a reception for the 150 Members of the Caucus and their staffs. I’m hopeful that persistence will pay off. When you open people’s eyes, great things could happen. My thanks to Maureen Lilly and the Children’s Cause for Cancer Advocacy for spearheading this effort.
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B+ Dinner & Auction — LAST CHANCE!
Two days left to register for Monday’s (Sept 23rd) B+ Dinner & Auction at the DuPont Country Club. It’s the only fundraising dinner that we host, it’s casual, great food, and some AMAZING auction items. We have an acclaimed French artist flying in to join us and he will create one of his masterpieces ‘live’ during the dinner. We have luxury, oceanfront homes in the Outer Banks – 8 MBDR suites, movie theater for 18!!! Weekend in NYC packages. And, a full orthodontia package from Greeley & Nista Orthodontics! And, of course, a ton of sports items.
There’s still time to register – click here.
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Volunteering Opportunity
Any students looking for service hours for school? Any adults want to help out?
The B+ Foundation is one of the beneficiaries of the Delaware Distance Classic (DDC). The DDC is a road race held on the Wilmington Riverfront. This year’s races will take place on Oct. 6th at 9am. The organizers of the event, the Pike Creek Valley Running Club, is looking for some volunteers. As one of the beneficiaries, we would certainly like to help them staff their event. It would only be a commitment of about two hours. To register as a volunteer, please visit:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D49ADAB2DA64-Delaware
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An Alternative Approach
A B+ supporter, Effie Halakos, has asked me to share with you details of an event that she is organizing. A common topic of discussion centers around ‘conventional’ (chemotherapy, etc) medicine vs ‘natural’ (herbal, nutrition) medicine vs a combination of the two. It is not my place to make a judgment for anyone. I think you have to do what you think is right for you and your loved one. Effie’s group, the Mederi Foundation, sees promise in bringing the two together in a holistic way. They are working with Ohio State University on a research study and they are having a fundraising dinner this Saturday, Sept 21st at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Wilmington, DE. For more information, please visit mederifoundation.org/benefitregistration.
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As you battle your challenges today, please remember the 46 sets of parents who today will hear “Your child has cancer!”
B+
Ali & Andrew’s Dad