Valentine's Day - Show a Little Love for the Kids
Visit to St. Mary Magdalen School
Yesterday, I had the honor of being invited to speak to the 5th-8th graders at Ali & Andrew's grade school alma mater. Thanks to our friend, Joan Kingsley, I also got a chance to spend time with her 4th graders as well. While it's very difficult re-telling Andrew's 'story' and talking about childhood cancer, I really enjoy speaking to and with children. I've had the privilege of speaking to nearly 500 groups but I was never invited to Ali & Andrew's grade school until yesterday. It was an honor to come back to a special place but it was also very emotional.
I stood in the gymnasium that bears a sign with my son's name on it...and I'm SO proud of that. As I talked, I couldn't help but be a bit overwhelmed as a lot of memories came rushing over me. The St. Mary Magdalen School National Junior Honor Society has selected The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation as the beneficiary of their 10th annual 3v3 basketball tournament. We are touched and very appreciative. Thank you very much, Joan Kingsley, Andrea Rossi, and Ben Farley for inviting me back.
Congratulations and Thank You!
We've had some really successful B+ dance marathons recently at Fordham University, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), and Appoquinimink High School (DE). Thank you so much to the students for so passionately embracing our mission to fight childhood cancer. And, to all of the supporters who donate to the kids, we couldn't do it without you. Congratulations also to North Star Elementary School (DE) on your super successful "B+ Movie Night" last Thursday. Oh, I can't forget -- thank you, Pi Kappa Alpha at NYU for arranging for your B+ Hero to meet NBA Superstar, Kevin Durrant, at a recent Knicks game.
9th Annual B+ 5k
It's not too early to create your team and spread the word about the 9th Annual B+ 5k which will be held on Wed. June 17th at Salesianum School in Wilmington, DE. Please note that while our 5k has always been on the 3rd Thursday in June, we're moving it to the 3rd WEDNESDAY this year so as not to compete with Firefly, the massive 4-day music festival that begins that Thursday.
Please sign up today for the best 5k in Delaware, a ton of free food, a chance to honor B+ Heroes, and an opportunity to help those families who will find out tomorrow that their child has cancer!
Want To Help Fight Childhood Cancer Without Any Effort?
Shop, shop, shop...do all of your regular online shopping at Amazon and The B+ Foundation will receive a donation from Amazon based upon your purchases. It doesn't cost anything for you and no information is shared with us. All you have to do is register The Andrew McDonough as "your" charity at http://smile.amazon.com.
It couldn't be any easier!
Meet B+ Hero, Colby Haught
About a week before this past Christmas, a seemingly healthy 15 year old tennis player from Abilene HS in Texas was diagnosed with AML (leukemia). That is the kind of cancer that Andrew had and this young man, Colby, reminds me of him. My heart goes out to Colby and his family; as it does with every family that I 'meet'. Colby is being treated at the same hospital as our special B+ Hero friend, Taylor Helland.
I'm asking a favor of you today...please take 2 minutes to leave a nice message of support for Colby and his family. I know it would mean so much to them to know that the B+Nation has them in your thoughts and prayers.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/colbyhaught
Make the most of this weekend!
B+
Ali & Andrew's Dad