B+ Hero Frankie's Dad
“From the day Frankie, and his little sister Brooklyn, met the B+ team and his Kappa Delta sisters from Villanova University, it’s been a magical experience. This amazing group of young women play games, build confidence, and just routinely go out of their way to make each moment with our family as amazing as it can be. Our kids look forward to time with them just as much as they would to do things like going to the beach or to Disney World – they can’t wait! The positive impact they’ve had on all our lives has already left a lasting impression, and it’s a relationship that we hope will last forever. We are eternally grateful for the friendship and support we’ve received from The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, the NOVAdance community, and especially the women of Kappa Delta.”
– Rick, B+ Hero Frankie’s dad
B+ Hero Emily's Mom
“Through The B+ Heroes Program, Emily was paired with the University of Delaware Gymnastics Club for UDance two years ago. At the time, Emily was going through her second intense portion of her treatment. When Emily met the girls, there was an instant connection. The team has been there to support Emily at chemotherapy appointments, UDance events and even dressed up as Trolls for her birthday. They have lifted her up and are such great role models for Emily as she grows up. We are beyond grateful for the work that each girl on the team does to help Emily and raise money for other kids fighting cancer. Even though the team and Emily cannot see each other in person right now, they have worked hard to stay connected virtually. I look forward to watching their bond grow as Emily becomes older.”
– Jackie, B+ Hero Emily’s mom
B+ Hero Zoey's Mom
“In February of 2018, we discovered a lump on Zoey’s leg and immediately rushed her to the doctor. Turns out, she had a rare type of malignant tumor, Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. As you can imagine this is the worst news that one could ever receive. Zoey’s spirits started to drop as time went on – treatment and recovery had been tough on her. Treatment had put an emotional and physical strain on her and it also took an emotional toll on us as a family.
Luckily, we had one of the most amazing opportunities offered to us by our social worker at the clinic, which was The B+ Heroes Program. We were so excited for Zoey to be able to connect with the wonderfully loving and caring students from New York University and have some joy in our lives again, free from the stressors and the constant reminders of her current battle. Zoey was adopted by the ladies of NYU Delta Phi Epsilon for NYDM, and we were immediately in awe!
These sweet ladies have visited and spent time with Zoey whether it was at the clinic, or coming to our home just to cheer her up. Once Zoey started to feel better and gain strength, we started attending events and she loved them, even so now with the Zoom calls with all of them. These amazing ladies have become family to us and, like Zoey will say, they are her ‘Unicorn Sisters.’
The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation and everyone involved are very dear to our hearts. Their mission and compassion to help, support and love our fighters and family going through this childhood cancer journey are incredible. Even after treatment was over, the communication love and support didn’t stop and that just shows how strong and impactful these connections have been. For that, we’ll be forever grateful.”
– Maria, B+ Hero Zoey’s mom
B+ Hero Aryn's Mom
“When Aryn was 2 years old, she was diagnosed with ALL, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Within months of her diagnosis, Aryn became a part of the B+ Heroes Program and was ‘adopted’ by Kappa Alpha Theta at University of Delaware. Aryn met her Theta sisters for the first time at UDance, and I, as Aryn’s mom, was completely amazed by the instant bond Aryn and her sisters shared.
The women of Theta have made a huge impact on Aryn and I, and I cannot express how deeply I’ve been moved by a group of college students who are so dedicated to my child, much less, bring her an enormous amount of love and joy. During one of the B+ events, Aryn’s Theta sister, Samantha, gently took Aryn’s hand and they strolled away from me. Samantha, a freshman at the time, turned and looked at me, giving me the look that said ‘Don’t worry Mom, I got her.’ And she did…and still does.
Aryn does not have any siblings – she craves companionship and she has found this in her Theta sisters, especially Samantha and Rina. Samantha was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2015. When Aryn found out, she knew she needed to be with her. Aryn said to me, ‘Mom, she helped me, now it’s my turn to help her.’ The love, friendship and support Sam had shown Aryn during her battle, was now reversed. Most recently, with help of Sam’s family and Rina, Aryn (we) surprised Sam at a Brain Tumor Walk. Joyful tears to see her sister, Aryn wrapped her arms around Sam, squeezed her, looked at me with a stare…me knowing the words ‘Mom, I got this…I got her…Her Fight is My Fight!’”
– B+ Hero Aryn’s Mom
Sam passed away on October 13, 2018 after bravely battling an inoperable brain tumor for three years. She touched the lives of many, especially her little sister and B+ Hero, Aryn.
B+ Hero Michael's Mom
“One of the most incredible opportunities offered to us during Michael’s treatment was connecting him with New York University students through the B+ Heroes Program. Through this program, Michael was ‘adopted’ by the men of Lambda Chi Alpha at NYU. These men have visited and spent time with Michael whether it’s been in the clinic, the hospital receiving treatment, or coming all the way to our home just to hang out. These men have truly become Michael’s friends and ‘big brothers.’
Back in February and March, the men sat with him and played with his Hot Wheels tracks and lined up his cars, amongst many other things. But most importantly, the men made him smile a lot. In April, we learned that the two rounds of chemo had failed. Although he was in remission, there was still a tiny bit of ‘residual disease’ left so we went to transplant which meant we had to transfer hospitals. Still, Michael’s ‘big brothers’ kept in touch with us despite the difficult timing of our new appointments.
Michael’s ‘big brothers’ are all college students who choose to spend their time putting smiles on children like Michael’s faces and genuinely enjoy doing it from the bottom of their hearts. I am sincerely touched by the people who didn’t know us before that have been able to be such a light in a dark situation.”
– Caryn, B+ Hero Michael’s Mom
B+ Hero Mahlai's Grandmother
“August 9, 2016 was one of the hardest days. Mahlai being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia B and T cells put my family and I into such depression. I’m forever thankful for our B+ family. Their ongoing support has been so amazing and much needed. They have been there for us physically, emotionally and financially. Everyone who knows Mahlai knows that she never stops smiling, and Carly and her Alpha Sigma Tau sisters at New York University have played a major role in that.”
– B+ Hero Mahlai’s Grandmother
B+ Hero Karter's Mom
“B+ holds a special place in our hearts. Not only did they connect us with the exact support our fighter needed during this journey, they’ve become lifelong friends of ours. Their mission and compassion to help those fighting childhood cancer runs deep. The love and support didn’t stop when treatment ended, it simply grew stronger. They continue to support us through follow-up appointments and beyond. The B+ Heroes Program truly creates a big family unit to help carry you through when you need it the most and we are beyond thankful for them and the relationship and memories Karter has made with his new big brother Colton and the Texas fraternity men.”
– B+ Hero Karter’s Mom
