I never thought I would be asked to give a Commencement Address, but then again, I never thought my 14 year old son would die either.  A few hours ago, we returned from the Seaford (DE) High School graduation ceremony.  I was so humbled and honored to be asked to speak to the Class of 2008 and their family and friends.  Honestly, when I give talks, I really feel like I am simply the messenger.  I feel like God and Andrew tell me what to say.  This may sound odd to some of you, but I really mean this.  I hope my remarks touched at least one person.  And, I hope the parents cherished that moment of watching their child walk across the stage; something that I won’t have the privilege of watching with my son.  Thank you, Rob Urell, and everyone at Seaford HS and may God bless you.

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I do get to watch our daughter, Ali, take that graduation walk on Sunday and I’m really looking forward to it.  Tomorrow afternoon is the Baccalaureate Mass and Sunday afternoon is the graduation.  If you haven’t noticed, there is one of Ali’s prom pictures posted on the Caringbridge website.  We will be uploading a lot more photos on www.BePositive.org shortly.

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We received a card the other day that sent chills up my spine.  In a nutshell, a woman and her father were ill and they credit Andrew with the miraculous recoveries.  I won’t go into much detail here, but her father had a well-documented medical situation that absolutely disappeared.  (This is NOT the first story like this that has been shared with us.)  To the woman that sent the card, could you please contact me at joe@livelikeandrew.org.  I would love to speak with you!!!  Thank you!

Live Like Andrew - Be the person that you want to be!

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Make it a great weekend!

Always proud to sign off as,

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

I hope you all had a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend.  Please never forget the tremendous sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform.  My nephew, Bob, is in the final days of his POW-training exercise.  If he makes it to Sunday, he will graduate from his 2 year program and be a full-fledged Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot.  Then, it will be on to Iraq or Afghanistan.  Please keep Bob and all military men and women in your prayers.

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If you’re interested, a local radio station (WDEL) was kind enough to do a story on our Foundation and the upcoming 5k Run/Walk.  Thank you, Pete Booker and Mellany Armstrong.  If you’d like to hear it, the mp3 link is on the BePositive.org homepage, right below the story about the 5k.

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Last Saturday night, I couldn’t stop thinking about a phone conversation that I had with a friend of mine, Peter Kelts.  Even though Peter and I never met in person, we emailed and spoke on the phone as he battled leukemia last year.  In his pain and suffering, he so generously reached out to us to help us.  I spoke with Peter one year ago (May 24, 2007) at about 6:30pm, just 5 hours before he went to Heaven.  I will never forget that call.  I will never forget Peter.

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Sunday was an exciting day in the McDonough household as Ali had her Senior Prom.  I don’t want to embarrass her, but she looked beautiful.  The parent organizers at Ursuline did an amazing job with the After Prom party.  On to graduation on Sunday, June 1st!!!

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Yesterday was an emotional day as Chris, Ali, and I presented the Andrew McDonough Trophy at the FC Delco Player’s Cup Memorial Day weekend tournament.  It’s hard to believe that we presented this trophy one year ago, with all expectations that Andrew would handling the presentation duties this year.  It was a very “spirited” game between Albertson Academy (NY) and the Olney Rangers from MD.  I actually think it was more “spirited” on the sidelines.  Both teams played great and all of the parents and coaches should be proud.  And, God willing, there will be more soccer games to play.  Keep it all in perspective.  Thank you FC Delco, USTC, and Nike for honoring Andrew this way.

Please continue to keep the Brennans in your prayers as Erin’s Memorial Service is tomorrow.

Live Like Andrew - don’t take yourself too seriously.

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Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

Brave little Erin Brennan has joined our Andrew in Heaven.  God, please give the Brennans the strength and peace to continue on and share with the world the wonderful qualities that Erin shared with them.  May God bless the Brennans.

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Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

It’s amazing how brave children can be!  And, it’s so hard to see what some of them have to face.  Please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/erinbrennan and give Erin and her family support.  They need your support right now.  God bless you Erin!

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Continuing along with brave young people, Amanda Perrotta is a bit older than Erin, but certainly valiant as well in her battle.  When you get a minute, please take a look at Amanda’s new site at www.amandasjourney.org.

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There are SO many kids that I’d like you to pray for.  Unfortunately, if I try to list them all, I know I’ll accidentally forget to mention some of them.  Adults, we can learn SO much from these kids.  When you’re facing your biggest challenge at home or work tomorrow, think about Erin and Amanda.  I hope and pray that this is as close as you ever get to experiencing this ’surreal life’.

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On a much different note, we’ve added a link (very belatedly) from Fox Soccer Channel on the homepage of www.BePositive.org.  The link will take you to a story that Fox did on Andrew at last year’s soccer Region 1 competition.  It’s a real good piece with nice comments from some of Andrew’s friends.

Thanks for checking in.  Please pray for Erin and her family.

Live Like Andrew - put others first.

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Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

Throughout this painful journey, we have come to meet so many nice people.  One family that God has brought into our lives is the Lewandowski family.  Michael Lewandowski, the Dad (and a Salesianum alum), passed away following a battle with cancer.  The Lewandowski children, Alicia and Brandon, have started an organization called “Kids Kickin Cancer” and they will be holding their 2nd Annual 5k this Wednesday in Wilmington, DE.  Please pray for good weather for them and come out and support Alicia, Brandon, and Renee (Mom) on Wednesday.  For more information about their organization, please visit www.kidskickincancer.org.  The key details are as follows:

Race Time:     6:30 PM (Registration opens 5:00 PM)

Location:        St. John the Beloved - 907 Milltown Road (Rear Parking Lot)

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We’d like to give a very big ‘thank you’ to Ali’s classmates at Ursuline Academy.  They raised $2,000 from sales of B+ gear and donations.  Simply amazing!  Thank you Maria Agra, Ms. Kane-Smith, and everyone who supported this effort.  What you did will have a significant effect on families in need!  THANK YOU!

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As you know, medical research is one of our objectives.  The bottom line is that too many people - children and adults- are suffering and dying.  We must do more.  Period!  As I said last week, my friend Denni Ferrara (head of the Leukemia Research Foundation of Delaware www.lrfde.org) and I toured the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research (NCCCR).  There is some really exciting work being done.  We’ll keep you updated as go further into our discussions.  

I had the privilege of speaking to the Delaware and Central PA Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training (TNT) folks yesterday at their pasta dinner prior to today’s Delaware Marathon.  I shared with them the story of a group of young kids that I spoke to last June.  I asked “which one of you guys is going to cure leukemia?”.  One girl’s hand shot up.  I then asked “who knows what polio is?”.  They all looked blankly at me.  I told them that my hope and prayer was that someday, when they were older, they would ask the question “who knows what leukemia is?” and they would get a blank stare in return.  God willing, we will get there soon!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 months since I’ve seen my buddy.  I miss hearing his voice, hugging him, watching Phillies games with him, seeing he and Ali hanging out, seeing him hug his Mom with the best hugs ever…I just miss everything about him.  Life will never be the same!  I know it doesn’t make sense, but I wish there was a way that we could spend even just 1 hour with him once a year.  (And, you know what I mean…here in person, physically.)  As I left the gym at his old grade school tonight after playing basketball, I felt like I hit a brick wall when I looked down and saw his face on the plaque in the ground at his tree.  It’s still so hard to believe that it’s real.

Please make it a good week.  Good luck to all the students, like Ali, who are taking final exams this week.

Live Like Andrew - try your best, that’s all anyone can ask of you.

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Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

I’m sorry that I’m a little slow ‘reporting’ on this, but it was SO cool seeing one of our Caringbridge friends (Whitney Smith) on TV wearing her B+ shirt.  Whitney was included in a story in Elmira, NY about how dogs are being brought into the hospitals to help patients.  We did that with Andrew as you may recall…kind of covertly.  :)  It was more like sneaking Andrew out to see Casey!!!  Thanks Whitney and we’re so happy that you’re doing so well.

http://caringbridge.org/visit/whitney

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I want to share with you a neat story about a teacher friend of ours (”Big Al”) who is bringing the B+ mentality into his classroom.  As you have read in the past, I frequently ask ”have you made a difference in the life of at least one person today?”.  Big Al has given his students an opportunity for extra credit.  The students must keep a log of how they are making a difference in the lives of others.  Keep in mind, you can touch people in the smallest ways.  From what I understand, these kids are becoming more conscious of helping others and it becomes a habit.  Nice habit, huh?  Thanks, Al, for keeping Andrew’s movement alive!

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Please visit our link in the middle of the homepage on www.BePositive.org to sign up for our 2nd Annual B+ Foundation 5k Run/Walk on June 19, 2008.  Monies raised will help families of critically ill children, fund medical research into finding a cure for leukemia and improved chemotherapy, and provide Andrew McDonough Scholarships at Salesianum.  There’s a “send email” link on the registration page so that you have a template to use to ask your friends/family/co-workers for donations.  Please feel free to copy and paste.

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Please keep the Brennans in your prayers.  www.caringbridge.org/visit/erinbrennan

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Congratulations to Paula Brown and the folks at Christiana Hospital for signing up over 100 new potential donors yesterday to the Bone Marrow Registry.

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Thank you to all the folks at St. John the Beloved.  As you may recall, the 5th/6th grade girls basketball team decided to give Andrew their tournament trophy (autographed no less) last year when we were in the hospital.  It always brought a smile to my face when I saw that trophy because it just showed the kindness, the goodness in kids…kids who didn’t even know Andrew personally.  I always thought that Andrew would return the trophy someday, but we had to do that for him.  We went to the annual sports banquet and returned the trophy to its rightful home.  SJB, you should be VERY proud of these young ladies.  Thank you so much!

God bless you all.  I pray for you, our friends - old friends and friends we haven’t met yet - every night.  We are very blessed.  Thank you.

Live Like Andrew - MAKE it a great weekend.   He would!

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Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

Please pray for Erin Brennan, a brave and special little girl, and her family.  Please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/erinbrennan and offer your support.

Thank you.

The other day, we received a package from an anonymous B+ friend.  Inside the envelope were several gift cards to a local store.  I want you to read the letter that was inside.  This just blew me away!

“As you know, Andrew always looked out for his friends.  I know he continues to.  His friends likewise came together to support Andrew and his family during his illness.  They never lost hope.  They prayed, held fundraisers, and helped out in many ways.  If he could have, I know Andrew would have thanked his friends for standing by him and his family during his fight for life.

In keeping with Andrew’s spirit of giving, I’d like to present the enclosed to Andrew’s close buddies on his behalf as a small token of appreciation for their display of true friendship.  We can all learn from their example.  If you would be so kind as to distribute the enclosed gift cards to Andrew’s close friends, I would be grateful.  If possible, please attach one of your Foundation’s “Pay it Forward” cards to each gift.  I wish you a happy summer.  Please also wish Andrew’s friends the same.  Thank you very much.  Be Positive and Live Like Andrew!”

WOW!!!   To whomever sent this generous gift, thank you very much!!!  It is uplifting to see all of the kindness being shared.

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I see that we have passed the 1,400,000 mark on Caringbridge visits.  Simply amazing!  Thank you very much for your support.

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Today, I had the privilege of having another meeting and tour of the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research.  It’s hard to believe that Nemours (A.I. duPont Hospital) didn’t have a cancer research center years ago, but the important thing is that they have one now and they’re off to an impressive start.  As you know, funding research into a cure for leukemia and improved chemotherapy (”smart chemo”) is an objective of our Foundation.  THIS is one of the reasons that we work so hard trying to raise money from sales of B+ gear to events like the 5k and Golf Outing, to asking corporations, foundations, and individuals for donations.  I truly believe that, with increased funding, we CAN and WILL make a difference.  I was shocked to hear that less than 2% of NIH (Natl Instit. of Health) funding is dedicated to children’s health.  How could that be?  It seems too hard to believe.

Once again, please keep Midshipman Kristen Dickmann’s family in your prayers as her memorial service is today.

God bless you.  There really is a lot of good in the world.

Live Like Andrew - “Be who you are, and be that well.” (St. Francis de Sales)

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Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

I want to wish all of the Mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day! 

Register for the 2nd Annual B+ Foundation 5k Run/Walk on Thursday, June 19th.  Just click on the Run/Walk button in the middle of the homepage.  Join us as an individual or create a team.  Collect donations and the team with the most money wins a Wilmington Blue Rocks super box for 20 with refreshments.  And, EVERYONE wins because you’re helping us further the mission.

If you’re not local, please join us as well by donating to one of the existing teams, like “Team Ali”.  We thank you for your participation.

You may recall from last month when one of our friends, Cathy Gladnick, ran into a girl in Marco Island, FL who was sporting a B+ tee shirt.  The young lady, Pam, was battling many illnesses.  I regret to report that Pam passed away on Sunday.  Please keep her family in your prayers.  We know too many young people who have died!!

We are honored that Carlyn Chulick, the mother of a FC Delco and Yale soccer player, is walking the Delaware Marathon in honor of Andrew.  (No jokes from the out-of-towners…yes, little old Delaware now has a marathon.  Watch out Boston and NYC!!!)  Please visit Carlyn’s site and consider supporting her on this noble journey.

http://www.active.com/donate/tntcpa/tntcpaCChulic

Finally, May 8th is a very significant - and sad - day for me because this is the day (16 years ago) that my Dad went to Heaven.  He went to Heaven about 4 months before Andrew was born.  I try to reassure myself that they’re catching up for all the time that they were apart.  Dad, take good care of our boy!  I miss him SO much!

Well, that will do it for tonight.  Thanks for continuing to visit our Caringbridge site and please bookmark www.BePositive.org as we will have even more information here.

Live Like Andrew - have faith!

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Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad