Please pray for Mason Woods, a 9 year old boy from Westerville, OH who has just been moved to a hospice room.  Mason has been battling ALL (Leukemia).  Please visit his website to share your support.  God bless you, Mason.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/masonwoods

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This past week, I had the honor of speaking to two schools - The Pilot School in Wilmington (DE) and Unionville HS (PA).  I was invited to help kick-off The Pilot’s School’s “No name calling - no bullying” campaign.  I shared many stories about how Andrew always stood up for the “little guy”.  Thank you, Leslie Jones and The Pilot School, for your generous donation to the Foundation, as well.  I made a return visit to Unionville HS to support their Blood Drive kick-off.  Last year, they set a record under the direction of my niece, Kalyn, (have to give her a plug) and this year, Liz Evans is leading the efforts to break that record.  Last year, I had two kids pass out during my blood drive talk — that was a first…MANY have fallen asleep :) but few have passed out.  No one passed out this year!!!

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On Monday, I also had the opportunity to watch one of our “Heroes”, Sydney Lysinger play in her freshman basketball game at St. Mark’s.  What an amazing kid.  She was diagnosed with Hodgkins in July, underwent chemo and radiation, and is out on the court playing for the Spartans.  And, she’s a star — she played really well.  It was SO nice to see.  You are definitely a Hero, Syd!!!

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I scheduled a tour and meeting at CHOP (Children’s Hosp of Philadelphia) on Thurs.  When I scheduled my visit, somehow, I didn’t realize it that I scheduled it on Jan. 29th - the anniversary of Andrew going in to the hospital.  The visit to CHOP was good and I got a nice surprise by bumping into another Hero, Pearce Quesenberry, and her Mom at the elevator.

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I’ve got to be honest — Thursday was a really, really bad day for all three of us.  Ali went to a Salesianum (Andrew’s HS) basketball game and lasted only about 20 minutes.  It was just too tough to see all of his friends.  There are no words to describe the pain that we feel.  We miss Andrew so, so, so much!!!

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Congratulations to my friend, Chris Grundner, for a super successful, sold-out fundraiser last night for his Kelly Heinz-Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation www.khgfoundation.org.

Live Like Andrew - MAKE it a good day.  Make a difference in the life of at least one person today.

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

Here’s what I remember:  Two years ago I took Andrew to the emergency room for suspected appendicitis.  Appendicitis turned out to be leukemia.  “We can fight this. We’ll get through this.”  Then all hell broke loose.  Andrew’s body went into cardiac arrest.  He was actually talking to the doctors without a readable blood pressure — that’s how hard Andrew was fighting.  As doctors and nurses raced to help Andrew fight, the McDonoughs and Rickers filled the ER hallway chanting “Andrew! Andrew!”  Just to let him know we were all with him.  And to encourage Andrew to stay with us.

Here’s what I know:  Even though the doctor told Joe “Your son won’t make it through the night,” Andrew did just that.  And gave us 166 extra days to love him, and care for him, and revel in his magic.  He made the doctors and nurses laugh.  He made them do things differently.  He made them think differently.  Andrew allowed us to meet all of you, and allowed you to meet him. 

We have met so many wonderful people over the past two years.  And shared our son and brother in such an unexpectedly personal way.  It’s because of Andrew that we’re all working together now to help others through B+. 

While we never, ever doubted that we would walk out of the hospital with Andrew, I often think that Andrew knew we needed this extra time to prepare, as best we could.  To gather our support group – all of you.

Thanks Andrew!  I miss your hugs, Babe.  But you still make me smile.  <3Mom

Two years ago today, January 27, 2007 fell on a Saturday.  It was an ordinary day in some ways and an extraordinary one in other ways. 

Andrew and I piled his soccer gear in the car for a trip up to the Wyoming Valley Dome in Wilkes Barre, PA for the Pennsylvania Indoor Soccer State Championships.  Andrew was really excited for this tournament since it would be his first chance to play in the PA state championship after playing in the DE tournaments for the previous six years.

Something didn’t look right in the first of six games.  Andrew looked a little sluggish and, after the game, he looked very pale.  He said he didn’t feel great, but he wasn’t that concerned.  Andrew’s coaches and I were a little concerned, so I told him that I wanted him to sit out a few games.  One of the parents was pretty sure that Andrew was suffering from a migraine.  Isn’t it strange how everything in life is relative.  I was bummed out by the prospect that Andrew was becoming a migraine sufferer, since I know how crappy that can make you feel.  Andrew had a banana and slept in the car while I read the newspaper next to him.  We were hoping that a little rest would help.  It seemed to do the trick.

Later in the day, Andrew’s color was better and he said that he was feeling much better.  I made the decision to let him play.  His coaches eased him back into the games and he looked pretty good.  In the championship game, Andrew made a slide tackle which may have saved the game.  There were only a few seconds left.  Andrew was so proud that, as the newest member of the team, he helped them win the state championship. 

I will never forget going over to Andrew after the game, hugging him, complimenting him and telling him that “Man, you have the ‘heart of a champion’!”…just like the Nelly song that we were playing on the way to the game.  He was smiling then and in the team photo.  Andrew’s Coach John Hingley noted that Andrew, the sickest child on the team, was the only one smiling in that team photo (see welcome page on Caringbridge or www.BePositive.org  top row, far left).  This is the last photo of Andrew before he went into the hospital.  Never in my wildest nightmare did I think Andrew’s heart would stop beating just 48 hours later.

Should I have taken him to a hospital after that very first game that day?

As cool as it was to win the championship, the day got much better as we made the 2.5-3 hr drive home to Wilmington.  My buddy and I talked about everything - from girls to MySpace/Facebook to school to his best friend, Ali.  I wish that trip was 24 hours long!  It was such a special time with my son, my friend.  That was the last conversation of its kind that I would ever have with my son…on this earth.

Unbeknownst to all of us, our lives were about to inexplicably and painfully change forever.

I love you and miss you, Andrew!

Dad

On Wed., I had the privilege of visiting with the fifth grade of North Star Elementary School in Hockessin, DE.  The fifth graders are embarking on a one month fund-raiser which combines philanthropy and President Obama’s message.  The North Star kids’ effort is called “Yes We Can… B+”.  They are collecting money for chores and other donations over the next month to help our Foundation in our mission to help families of critically ill children and in the fight against pediatric cancers.  I always enjoy speaking with kids and this group is a great bunch of kids.  A special thanks to Ryan Murphy and Mrs. Woodall for hosting me.  There’s nothing I like more than seeing ‘kids helping kids’!!!

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Thanks to your generosity, we have been able to recently help the families of the following kids who are battling various forms of cancer.  Please keep them all in your prayers.

Jaylen - PA

Tyree - PA

Bobby - PA

Fernando - TX

Ashley - TX

Brandon - TX

Justin - PA

Gabriel - MI

Elijah - NY

Jacqueline - NY

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One of my favorite expressions from Andrew’s high school (Salesianum) is “Be who you are, and be that well.” (St. F. deS.)  It sounds so simple, doesn’t it?   The sky is the limit on our potential.

God bless you and MAKE Sunday a really special day.

Live Like Andrew - B+.

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

Thanks to Sen. Tom Carper (DE), Chris, Ali, her cousin Nora, and I received tickets to President Obama’s Inauguration today.  It’s been a long day!  DC was insane.  Our view was pretty obstructed, the crowd was huge, but it was an honor being a witness to an inauguration, and extra special due to the historical significance. 

President Obama’s Inauguration was actually the second Inauguration of the day for us.  We attended Jack Markell’s midnight Inauguration as the 73rd Governor of the great state of Delaware. 

Now the work begins - on the local, national, and international levels.  May God bless our elected officials.  And, please let our elected officials share our belief that children suffering and dying from cancer is totally unacceptable in this, the greatest nation on Earth!!!

I’m beat…it’s off to bed! 

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

Well, a little bit of history came through little old (frigid) Delaware today.  Regardless of your political leaning, it was pretty cool (no pun intended) that the Obama/Biden Inaugural train came through Wilmington today.  Ali had the opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ and shook the hands of Michelle Obama and Jill Biden.  She was pretty close to the President-Elect as well.  Needless to say, Ali was pretty fired up.

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Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a Trinity HS girls basketball game in Camp Hill, PA.  As you may recall, Trinity was one of the teams that came to DE in Dec. for the Diamond State Classic.  They were so nice to their hero, Joey Borowski, while in DE and they subsequently invited him to come up to Camp Hill last night for “Trinity Youth Night”.  There were all kinds of activities and they introduced Joey before the game and he sat on the bench.  The Trinity community of players, coaches, and fans were just so wonderful to Joey, his family and I.  Trinity hit a 3 pointer AT THE BUZZER to win the game over a local rival.  It was certainly worth the two hour drive.  Thank you, Trinity Shamrocks!!!

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One of our B+ supporters has brought another fundraising opportunity to my attention.  It is based off of your internet searches and shopping.  Here’s the topline on it.  (Here is their pitch.)

“What if the B+ Foundation earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

Www.GoodSearch.com   is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy’s and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter The B+ Foundation as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!”

It seems very legitimate and we invite you to check it out.

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Teen Dance Party Fundraiser

High schoolers Christina and Meghan des Groseilliers are hosting a dance on February 6^th from 7pm to 10 pm at the Hockessin Memorial Hall to raise money for The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.  Food, drinks, music, dancing, and door prizes are provided!  The minimum donation is $35 per person.  For more information, and to receive an invitation on Evite, please email Christina (cdesgroseilliers@ursuline.org).  Thank you, girls, for joining our crusade.

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Thanks to a lead from our friend, Chris Grundner (www.khgfoundation.org), a woman named Dafna Michaelson interviewed Ali and I as part of her “50in52 Journey”.  Dafna is traveling the country to interview select people with plans to hit all 50 states in the 52 weeks of 2009.  Please check out http://www.50in52journey.com/ to see our interview as well as Chris’ interview.

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There are so many kids to pray for, but tonight, I’d like to ask you to keep Carrie Maniscalco http://caringbridge.org/visit/carriemaniscalco and Drew Koenig http://caringbridge.org/visit/drewkoenig (and their families) in your prayers. 

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.

Live Like Andrew - never take anything for granted.

B+

 

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

P.S.  GO EAGLES!!!

18 months!!!

18 months ago today was the saddest day of my life!  There are no words to describe the depth of the sadness.

18 months ago today, the daily battled that we waged ended.  We would never hear Andrew’s voice again or feel one of his great hugs.

18 months ago today, a new daily battle began.  The battle to survive each day without Andrew physically with us.  Every day is so difficult!  We miss his beautiful presence so much.  The world is not the same without his big smile and his laugh.

18 months ago today, Chris, Ali, and I had to start over and learn how to be a family of 3 in the physical ways of this world while ALWAYS being a “Family of 4″.  I am so proud of Chris and Ali; I love them so much.

18 months ago today, a Foundation was born to honor Andrew and God, help other families, and rid the world of pediatric cancers.

18 months may not seem like a long time to some, but for me, it’s 540 days of seeing pain on my wife’s and daughter’s faces.  It’s 540 nights of seeing Andrew’s empty bed when I go to bed, 540 quiet mornings, and thousands and thousands of smiles that I don’t see, laughs that I don’t hear, and hugs that I don’t feel.

Andrew, I know you’re still ‘with’ us, but I miss you SO much!!!  I love you, Pal!

“I do believe that I have been changed for the better.  And, because I KNOW you, I have been changed for good.”

I love you, Andrew!!!

Dad

Well, it’s been an exciting few days since I last posted.

Early Tues. morning (i.e. 4:30am), I heard Ali’s car alarm go off.  I raced to the window just in time to see the thieves peeling out of the neighborhood (in their car, fortunately).  They shattered two of Ali’s windows and popped the trunk looking for valuables.  Ali’s was one of 8 cars broken into that night in our neighborhood and the adjacent neighborhood.  It’s not that big of a deal, though, just a little inconvenience.

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Later that day, Chris and I headed off to the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City for our ‘get-away’ given to us by Ali & Andrew.  It was nice and relaxing.  We had some nice meals, spent some time in the fitness center and spa, went to the comedy club, and just walked around a lot.  Believe it or not, we didn’t even gamble.  It was really nice. 

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I would like to introduce you to two new heroes that need your prayers and support.  If you get a minute, please visit these websites and let them know that the B+ Nation supports them.  Thanks a lot!!!

http://caringbridge.org/de/tedschwartz

www.caringbridge.org/visit/cliffbeilke

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I would like to share with you the story of a young man on a mission to make a difference.  His name is Paul and he is a friend of Ali’s.  Paul is on a mission in 2009 to help 12 different charities, one each month.  He is going to raise money for different charities by running…and receiving pledges for his run.  Paul, thank you very much for caring about others and for including The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation as your charity for June, 2009.  If you would like to support Paul’s efforts, please contact him at:  rightonmayne@gmail.com 

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Congratulations to the Eckman family on their tremendously successful bone marrow registration drive.  I believe the final number was 93 new donors — including my girl, ALI — on the Registry.  Just think — one of those 93 might be a match and save a person’s life.  I’ve been on the Registry since 1989 and I pray that I will be called someday.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.  GO EAGLES!!!

Live Like Andrew.

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

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I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year’s celebration.  Personally, I’ve never really grasped the fascination with the whole New Year’s Eve madness but, to each his own.

In one of my last Updates, I mentioned that I would share with you Ali’s & Andrew’s Christmas gifts to Chris & I.  Christmas is, understandably, very difficult, but Ali really warmed our hearts.

Historically, Chris would hide one of Ali’s & Andrew’s Christmas gifts and then leave Scavenger Hunt clues around the house.  It was really fun to see them racing around the house for that ‘extra’ gift from Santa.  That Santa sure is a clever guy!  Well, this year, Ali turned the tables on us and we were the ones receiving the clues.  I felt like a little kid! 

The best was yet to come though.  The true gift was not what Ali & Andrew had purchased but the beautiful note that Ali wrote to us.  Ali is kind of a quiet young lady but she expresses herself so well in her writing (as you’ve seen on Caringbridge).  Her note was so heartwarming and full of love and appreciation.  I didn’t need anything more.  She made my day.  In addition to the note, though, ‘they’ are sending us away for a 2 night getaway to just relax.  I say ‘they’ because after Andrew went to Heaven, we gave Ali a jar of money that Andrew kept in his room.  Ali never felt comfortable spending ‘his’ money.  So, one day last fall, I think Andrew ‘came’ to Ali and they decided what they would do with his money (and hers).  And, they decided to buy us a vacation.  Honestly, after Ali’s note, I didn’t need anything else.  (See Ali, you’ll learn - next time you can just save your money! 

What a kind and thoughtful gesture!  We are very blessed.

And, a few days before Christmas, Ali gave me another gift that I treasure.  You may recall from some of the pictures that were previously posted on CB that Andrew wore a fairly large cross necklace.  After Andrew went to Heaven, Ali found it and was wearing it herself.  Shortly before Christmas, she decided she wanted me to have it.  I wear it every day.  I find myself touching it so many times a day because I know my son’s fingers touched this cross so many times as well.  I feel a little bit closer to him.

Ali & Andrew, thank you!!!

God bless you.

B+

SOOOOOOOO proud to be,

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad