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.”
– 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
