Thank you all very much for continuing to read our Journal Updates and, especially, for posting messages to us.  As Ali has said in the past, it’s nice to see notes from you all.  We hope you’re using the “B+ Pay it Forward” cards and would love to hear how you’re using them.  If you need more, just let us know.  Thanks for staying in touch, even if it’s just to post a short message to let us know that you’re still on-board with the mission.

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A friend of ours, Lynette, has asked that we pray for two children that are both battling critical illnesses, but at different places in their journey.  The first young lady was recently diagnosed, while the second has battled health challenges all her life.  Thanks for keeping them in your prayers and for leaving them notes of support.  I met with Ethan Williams’ family the other day at AI duPont Hospital and they expressed to me how much it meant to them to see all the new B+ friends who visited Ethan’s site.  You really do make a difference.

Ashley Riemer was diagnosed with Leukemia on Sept. 11, 2009.  She is being treated at Walter Read Army Medical Hospital in Washington, DC.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ashleyriemer

Jessica is a 13 yr old girl who has been battling many medical issues her whole life and last year was diagnosed with HLH, a rare autoimmune disorder.  She is currently post-transplant but has been encountering complications.  Jessica is being treated in Kansas City.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jessica16

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A few years ago, the elected members of the Delaware General Assembly received a pay raise.  Many citizens, and some legislators, were not happy about it and a few legislators even went so far as to say that they would not keep the pay raise.  At least one of them actually kept his word!  I was very moved when I received a note and a check recently from State Representative Greg Lavelle.  Rep. Lavelle, who has been good friend of the Foundation, distributed his pay raise to a variety of local non-profit organizations, with The B+ Foundation being one of them.  Greg, thank you very much for your generosity and support!

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On Sat. Nov. 14th, there is a “Girls on the Run 5k” in Wilmington, DE.  In honor of our brave young friend, Savannah Pauley, who went to Heaven last month, a “SavannahStrong” team is entered in the event.  If you’d like to come out and run or walk and join the “SavannahStrong”, please visit ://www.girlsontherunde.org/5kraceinfo.html and scroll down to Savannah’s team.

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Last, but not least, I would like to thank Julie Miller, Stacey, Mike, and all the folks at the Pike Creek branch of Wachovia Bank.  On Wed, I was invited to represent your Foundation at a Wachovia Bank Awards breakfast for the Southern PA/Delaware Region.  Wachovia honored several local non-profits and presented each one with a check.  The Pike Creek store selected The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation as their recipient.  I was very honored.  I was also very shocked when I learned that just two hours after I left Julie at the breakfast, she and her team were held up at gunpoint.  Thankfully, everyone is OK; shaken up a bit, but OK.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Live Like Andrew - Make Memories Today!

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

Please pray for our newest B+ Hero, Ethan Williams.  Ethan is an 8 year old at A.I duPont Hospital battling a brain stem tumor.  Sadly, the oncologist told the family this week that Ethan has 1-2 months to live.  As I’ve said a million times, only God knows how much time Ethan will be with us here in this imperfect world.  Please take a minute to visit Ethan’s website and leave a nice note.  I know what many of you are thinking…’what am I going to say to a family at a time like this?’   Just let them know that you have them in your prayers and that will mean a lot to them.  To know that ‘friends they haven’t met yet’ are thinking of them and their brave little boy will warm their hearts at this horrificly scary and painful time.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ethanmaxwilliams

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Kudos to Michael Baron for organizing a 12 hour SoccerThon at Wm Penn Charter School in Philadelphia with  The B+ Foundation as the beneficiary.  Michael is a friend and former teammate of Andrew’s and is really carrying the torch for the B+ message.  Thank you also to Michael Goldman, the Penn Charter Coach, and all of the families and players that turned out last Saturday.  I hope to see you every year at the SoccerThon!

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Yesterday, I had the pleasure of being an honorary member of the Concord Dynamo travel soccer team.  The Dynamo start every game with the cheer “Let’s Go Dynamo…Live Like Andrew!”.  I’ve got to tell you, I had chills being in the huddle as they shouted this cheer.  They were LOUD…I know Andrew heard them!!!  Thank you very much to all the boys, the families, the Coaches…and especially Coach Bill Lynch for helping to teach these young men life skills first and soccer skills second.  “Let’s Go Dynamo…Live Like Andrew!” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you very much to Mrs. Giles and all of the folks at Laurel (DE) HS who invited me down for their Delaware Career Association Initation and Installation.  I was honored to be your keynote speaker.  I hope you have a great year and B+!

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“Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.”  Mother Teresa

Live Like Andrew - make someone a little happier today.

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

I wish I didn’t have to do this, but I need to introduce you to another brave little warrior - a young lady named Justice Nowlin.  Justice was admitted to AI duPont Hospital on Oct 5th with Neuroblastoma.   Please visit her CaringBridge site and share some words of encouragement from the B+ Nation.   Check out her pictures…while very daunting, they also show the true spirit of this little fighter. 

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/justicenowlin

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Several people have noticed that Parade Magazine is hosting a charity fundraising contest and asked if we are included.  The answer is ‘yes’.  If you click on the link below and enter “B+ Foundation” in the search box, our logo comes up.  Thank you, Ali, for setting us up in this contest.

http://www.causes.com/index.html

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A couple of weeks ago, I was at Astra Zeneca (AZ) and Jim Coyne from AZ and I were brainstorming ways to involve their employees.  The next day, I was at AI and discussed an idea that we had for some AZ employees to ‘adopt’ a family.  There is a family at AI from Arizona…they don’t know anyone and language is a bit of an issue.  Cesar is 15 yrs old and has AML (like Andrew) and his brother, Brian, donated his marrow to him last week.  We arranged a meeting prior to the transplant and the AZ folks brought over a home cooked meal and are collecting some warm coats for the family.  Mom is here with the 2 boys while Dad is back in Arizona with their 2yr old and 4 yr old.  Please keep this family in your prayers.  To the Hispanic Employee Group from Astra Zeneca, thank you very much for your kindness! 

~~~~~~~~~~~

I would like to thank the folks at JPMorgan Chase (Christiana Center) for inviting me to visit yesterday and share information about The B+ Foundation.

Last night, I had the privilege of speaking to the Elkton (MD) High School soccer team before their big rivalry game with Rising Sun.  Thanks to Brandon Gartland, who played on the DE Olympic Development Program team with Andrew, the entire team is outfitted in “B+  Play Like Andrew” warm up shirts.  It brought a few tears to my eyes seeing the boys out there warming up with those shirts on!  Unfortunately, I had to leave at halftime, but it was long enough to see Brandon score and put Elkton up 1-0 at the half.

Following the soccer game, I had the opportunity to meet with the Greek Council at the University of Delaware.  Planning for UDance, the 12 hour dance marathon of which we are a beneficiary, is in full swing and kudos to Katie Wilson and Jay Mercandetti, the event co-chairs.  I am really impressed by so many of the UD students and how they have embraced our “B+ Heroes” and the cause.  If anyone is interested in becoming a sponsor of UDance, please let me know and I’ll put you in touch with Katie & Jay.  Thanks!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I really enjoy speaking with kids and today, I was invited to share some Andrew stories with a group of young ladies who are involved in “Girls on the Run” at Caravel Academy.  The girls asked the greatest questions.  I’m not sure if they were interested or just trying to avoid running!  (jk)   Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit about Andrew and our mission with you.  Remember, you’re not just “the future of our country”, you’re the PRESENT!!!  You can make a difference today.  Show the adults the way!

Live Like Andrew - get a laugh at your expense, not someone else’s!

B+

Proud Dad of Ali and Andrew

Yesterday was a busy day as Chris, Ali and I took the ‘divide & conquer’ approach.  Ali attended the Curesearch Walk on the Wilmington Riverfront and I went to Immaculata University for the inaugural “Lynne to Win 5k” in honor of our friend, Lynn Wallace, who passed away in August following a battle with leukemia.  We are very honored that Eric Martin, the organizer of “Lynne to Win” has designated The B+ Foundation as the beneficiary of their event.  The weather wasn’t great, but as Ali said, cancer doesn’t stop because it’s raining!  Ali said it was great seeing some of our friends ‘in the club’.  Sorry I couldn’t be there. Chris was off to VA for her Brussels (Belgium) American High School reunion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you very much for those of you who pointed out that the quote I listed in my last Journal Update is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson.  It’s nice having smart friends!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Ali mentioned, the “3rd Annual B+ Foundation Golf Outing, Dinner, & Auction” was a big success last Monday.  We had a packed house and I think a lot of people’s hearts were touched by the beautiful remarks by Joey Borowski and his mom, Theri.  I think we succeeded in raising awareness and money for the mission.  Thanks so much to everyone who attended, donated, sponsored, and prayed for us!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last Tuesday, I decided to watch Andrew’s high school soccer team (Salesianum) take on their arch-rival, St. Mark’s High School.  Unbeknownst to me, though, it was Senior Night.  As you know, this would have been Andrew’s senior year on the team.  Suffice it to say, it was a very difficult surprise for me and I didn’t stay very long.

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Annette Pic, a B+ supporter and friend of the Langseder family, has asked me to share the following with those of you who are local here in Delaware.  I am not familiar with the effort listed below and thus, cannot personally vouch for the following.  However, I want to share this with you in the interest of spreading the word. 

“ERIN BROCKOVICH, the famous environmental activist, has looked at the pollution issues we face and has contacted Ms. Abigail Barnes, a paralegal at the Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. law firm in Manhattan, NY.

Ms. Barnes is working with one of the firm’s attorneys and epidemiologist to assess the issues facing our community and to look into the feasibility of filing a lawsuit.  Both

Ms. Barnes and the firm’s epidemiologist, Ms. Hyman, will be coming to our neighborhood’s community meeting being held at Brandywine Springs Elementary School on Monday, October 19^th, at 7:00 p.m.

Ms. Barnes is interested in learning information about our community’s issues and possible contamination in the area.  If you would like to speak with her, please call her at

(212) 558-5577 or email her at abarnes@weitzlux.com

There are, and have been for years, an alarming number of cancer, neurological, auto immune and other disorders, in Brandywine Springs Manor, Faulkland Heights, Brookmeade, Sherwood Park, Canterbury Hills, as well as neighboring schools, etc.

The added prevalence of Leukemia and brain tumors in our area, particularly among children, as well as the loss of young fathers to cancer, has raised concerns over the safety of our environment.”

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Live Like Andrew - don’t just lean on God in times of crisis.

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

Hi, it’s Ali –

This post is going to cover a lot of topics…some happy, some sad.

First, Thank you for the many birthday wishes!  It was a difficult day, but we made the best of it.  As you know, I got the best tangible gift possible – Andrew’s Beads of Courage.   I don’t think it’s possible for me to put into words how much these beads mean to me.    In case you missed the previous post explaining Beads of Courage – Beads of Courage is a program at AI DuPont Hospital for Children for the oncology patients.  Patients get a bead for each day of chemo, each day inpatient, each transfer to PICU, each transfusion, infusion, surgical procedure, line placement, tube placement, dressing change, rehab visit, days of dialysis, days of TPN, tests (MRI, CT, x-ray, etc.), hair loss, bone marrow aspirates, lumbar puncture, pokes (IV, etc.), unusual occurrences, special events, and special courage.  The program started at AI in 2008 with the help of Brooke Saunders’s generous donation in honor of her friend Jack and our Andrew.  Even though we were out of the hospital in 2007, I feel strongly that Andrew deserves credit for everything he endured, so his Beads were the only tangible present I wanted for my birthday.  I’m sure it was difficult for my parents to go through everything that happened over again in order to get a bead to recognize each event, but I really appreciate it.  The hospital put the beads into little baggies separated by what they mean.  Because we were there for so long, and many things happened every single day, for some things they gave a special bead marking 100 rather than 100 single beads.  They gave me 3 strings to put the beads on to form a necklace.  I don’t think they truly realized how many beads they gave me…I had over 400 beads left after using up all 3 strings.  I ended up needing 8 strings and we calculated that the “necklace” is about 30 feet long.  I’m so happy to have this concrete proof of Andrew’s bravery.  I knew and still know how brave he is and his amazing strength, but for others to see this, I think they’ll better understand just how amazing he is.  My dad said they’ve never had someone with so many beads.  That’s not really an honor you want to have in that it’s a reminder of how sick he was and what he went through, but to me it’s also a proud, amazing fact.  To think that he went through all of this, never gave up, fought like crazy, gave us 166 bonus days, gave us more memories,  told us he loves us a few more times is amazing to me.  Each bead has a memory for me.  While some are sad, the memories of me coming from school to the hospital and hearing that he asked for me while I was gone and I say that I’m there now and to hear him say “good. I love you.” is in some crazy way comforting.  I’ll never forget any of the hospital memories, but the extra “I love you”s help me get through each day.  He knows he’s loved.  And I know he loves us.    

Thank you to Brooke Saunders for getting this program off the ground at AI.  Thank you to my amazing parents for giving me the best physically possible present they could and going through the painful history that Andrew endured to make sure I got each bead.   Thank you to Mary Neumann at AI for making it possible for me to get Andrew’s beads.  Thank you to Mary Sawin for getting his beads together for me.  Thank you to the doctors who did everything they could for Andrew; because of your hard work and dedication coupled with Andrew’s unwavering will to live and strength, we were given 166 “bonus days” to make memories with our best friend.  Thank you to all of you reading for following our story, caring for my brother, and becoming a part of our lives; without your support – during Andrew’s painful fight and my parents & my painful fight each day without Andrew now – I honestly don’t know how we’d get through each day.  I can’t speak for my parents, but I check Andrew’s CB guestbook multiple times each day, hoping for some new words of encouragement from you or a story of how Andrew touched your life.  Even the “hey, I was thinking of you so wanted to let you know” type messages – they’re great and MUCH appreciated!   
 

Second, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation now has a Facebook page!  All you have to do is type in The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation in the search bar at the top and then click on us!  This was started fairly recently, so if you want to join, we’d LOVE to have you be a “fan” of us!  A cool thing about this page is that we set up a Discussion Board.   With that, we plan on having new topics every now and then and your feedback is extremely welcomed and encouraged.  Currently, the topic in the discussion board is: How has Andrew’s story, battle, and/or life impacted you?  Nobody has posted yet… but you could be first!!!  Also, thanks to B+ supporter, Sarah Parmacek, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation is set up as a Cause Application on FB.  She set this up a while ago and it’s great! We have an astounding 4,399 members!! Who wants to be the 4,400th!?! Good work, Sarah! Thanks for being more technologically savvy than me and thinking of doing this!    

Third, please keep the family of Jessica Easley in your prayers.  Jessica fought rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer since her diagnosis in 2006.  She went into remission February 14, 2007.  Unfortunately, the cancer returned in April 2008.  December 2008, Jessica achieved a second remission.  August 28, 2009, her cancer came back.  This time, her cancer was wrapped around her aorta and shoving her heart up against her chest cavity and invading her spine at T11-12.  September 9, 2009, Jessica was sent home on hospice.  Jessica wanted to live until her 11th birthday.  Sadly, she went to Heaven this morning one day shy of her 11th birthday.  Jessica fought ‘til the very end.  Her faith was steadfast through everything.  Her family is now going through their worst nightmare.  While they know Jessica is in Heaven, they’ve just been put on an extremely difficult path for the rest of their lives.  www.caringbridge.org/visit/jessicaeasley

Fourth, another brave little girl went to Heaven 2 weeks ago at 13 years old after fighting adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that is normally not found in kids.  Valerie Dalmau incredible faith truly inspired me.  I was in awe when I read her posting.  I copy and pasted her journal entries with a picture of her from her CB and printed it.  I hung it on the wall by my bed and am always reminded of how brave she is.  Here are the excerpts from her entries that I have printed out. She is unbelievable. www.caringbridge.org/visit/valeriedalmau

September 22, 2009

“…I do have some sad news though. The doctors don’t have any more alternatives and I do not have much time here on earth.  Scientifically there is nothing else to do but I know that miracles do happen so I am not losing hope.  I just want to follow God’s will and I’m excited to go to heaven since Jesus will be the one who welcomes me!  I will be doing flips up there and will be excited to join all of the souls in heaven including my mom and dad when their time comes!
        Before I had cancer, I was not close to God at all. I didn’t enjoy church, and I didn’t pray a lot. When I got sick, I talked to God a lot more. When the doctors told me that I had a tumor, I would pray and question God a lot. I also got very mad at him because I didn’t understand why he chose me. I remember what a trauma it was for me to lose my hair. It was only until later when I learned that the outside beauty was not so important. I always heard that from people, but I never experienced it….

…Whenever I had pain at home, I started to realize that it was a way I could connect with Jesus. I also started to pray the rosary, which is a Catholic prayer that we pray to Mary. I became very faithful and spiritual. I didn’t know that I was changing the lives of so many people! Mysterious things would happen, like a complete stranger would bring me a really special necklace or a blessed rosary. I have a million rosaries now!!! What I am trying to tell all of you is that through this cancer journey I have been used as one of God’s instruments to show people that God really is here and prayers work. I wish I could have been able to post one day here on caring bridge that I was completely cancer free, but I am able to say that I have gotten people closer to God and have changed people’s lives. I am in grace with God and, Renee, I am not hiding in my house after reconciliation. I will be talking to God about you and how you are so special to me…. ”

September 28, 2009

“…Please keep praying for me and that I will be here for that. Prayers are so powerful, you know, you just sometimes have to wait for the right time. GOD BLESS YOU! I am in the hospital with both my mom and my dad right now. They have an oxygen mask in my nose or I won’t be able to breathe.

Strength has gotten away from both legs now, so I officially can’t walk. I’m OK with it though soooooo, I’ll be fine. (And a veeery important guardian angel)
Love Valerie”

Fifth, please remember the Pauley’s today and always.  Today, October 13th,  marks 1 month of Savannah being in Heaven.  www.caringbridge.org/visit/savannahpauley1 

LASTLY, (sorry this is incredibly long, but there’s a lot to be covered!), the 3rd Annual B+ Golf Outing/Auction was last night! It was a great night and B+ hero, Joey Borowski (www.caringbridge.org/visit/joeyb), and his mom both spoke to a captive audience.  It was a bit chilly for golf, but it was for a great cause!  More details will come later in my dad’s post, I’m sure…

I’ll end the post now before I go off on a tangent about all the Pink I’ve been seeing…expect more later, but I’ll leave you with this – In the midst of all this pink, DON’T FORGET THE GOLD! Research funds are scarce as most money is diverted to well-publicized adult forms of cancer, such as breast and prostate. The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) federal budget was $4.6 BILLION. Of that, breast cancer received 12%, prostate received 7%, and all 12 major groups of pediatric cancers combined received less than 3%.  Think of it in life years lost…Simply unacceptable.  Now, cancer is cancer and any cancer is bad.  However, I personally know 2 people who are breast cancer survivors and would much rather the funding go towards childhood cancer research.  Ok, I need to stop before this journal entry becomes 5 pages longer…

Live. Laugh. Love. Dream. Hope. Believe.
SO INCREDIBLY PROUD to be,
“Andrew’s Sister”

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

Well, tomorrow is the big “3rd Annual B+ Foundation Golf Outing, Dinner, & Auction”.  I put in a special request with Andrew and we’re going to have tremendous weather for tomorrow!  :)  I think he was messing with me a little back in June for our 5k!  Our guest speakers will be B+ Hero, Joey Borowski, and his family. 

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Thank you very much to Alex Blythe and his family for inviting me to AB+’s “End of Chemo” celebration at AI duPont Hospital on Friday.  Now that’s a party with a real reason for celebration!  Congratulations Alex, Rachael, Maureen, Roger, and all of AB+’s friends and family.  You’re all B+ Heroes!

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Congratulations to the Leukemia Research Foundation of DE on a very successful inaugural “Mud Run”  today!  The more that’s raised, the sooner we’re going to get to where we need to be!

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For years, I kept the attached paragraph taped to my computer at work and now my computer at home in the ‘international headquarters’ :)  of The B+ Foundation.  Hope you find it helpful.

“What is success?

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a happy child, a garden patch

or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed

easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded!”   Anonymous

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Live Like Andrew - “find the best in others”!

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

This week, cancer took the lives of two special people here in our community.

Jack Langseder went to Heaven on Tuesday following a battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, the same cruel cancer that our friend Savannah Pauley battled.  Jack was 13 years old.  Back in June, 2007, a really neat kid named Brooke Saunders contacted us about a swim-a-thon that she was organizing to raise money for a new program at A.I. duPont Hospital called “Beads of Courage”.  Brooke had decided to do this fundraiser in honor of her friend, Jack Langseder, and her new friend that she hadn’t met yet, Andrew McDonough.  I felt like our boys were forever connected.  Brooke was successful in raising nearly $3,000 and the “Beads of Courage” program was started at AI.  The programs awards the patient a different color bead for each procedure — ie. chemo, bone marrow aspirate, etc.  Andrew never received his string of beads because the program started after we left the hospital.  This was the one thing Ali wanted for her birthday this year.  She felt that Andrew deserved them - which he did- and he should get them.  Thanks to the tremendous cooperation of Mary Newman and Mary Sawin at AI, we presented Ali with Andrew’s hundreds of beads on her birthday, October 6th…the same day that Jack Langseder went to Heaven.  Our boys are forever connected and I know that Andrew is showing Jack around.  Our deepest condolences go out to Jack’s family and friends and we are humbled and honored that the Langseder family has chosen that memorial donations in Jack’s name go to The B+ Foundation.

http://miva.delawareonline.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?obits.mv+87081

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Ali wanted to go to Philly for her birthday dinner on Tuesday night, so we found a nice little Italian restaurant.  Knowing that I was planning on visiting a friend at Christiana Hospital the next day, I decided to buy him a cannoli.  Being that he is a proud Italian from North Jersey, I thought it would put a smile on his face.  I went to Christiana Hospital on Wed to visit him, but they weren’t allowing visitors upstairs.  I really wanted to talk to him.  I didn’t get the chance.  About 8 hours later, he went to Heaven following a battle with cancer.  His name is Michael Saltarelli and he was our Bishop in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.  Bishop Saltarelli and then-Msgr. Barres visited Andrew several times in the hospital.  He told me how honored he was to visit Andrew, how inspired he was by Andrew’s faith, strength, and character, and how he often used Andrew as an example in his discussions with others.  I really enjoyed our occasional lunches, the last one coming about 2 months or so ago.  The cancer was slowing him down but his attitude was still the same.  He was a good man!

Jack and Michael are in Heaven now…

God bless their families and friends.

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

Thank you all for the kind birthday wishes for Ali.  She really appreciated them.

The second reason that yesterday was a big day was that we hosted Delaware Gov. Jack Markell at the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research (NCCCR).  As you know, the NCCCR received our inaugural research grant of $250,000 and we felt it was important for the Governor to experience, firsthand, this ‘diamond in the rough’ right here in our own backyard.  Dr. Raj, Dr. Napper, and all of the folks at Nemours did a great job outlining the battle plan and I think the Governor was truly impressed and enlightened about the war against childhood cancers.  Gov. Markell has been very supportive of our family and The B+ Foundation and we greatly appreciate the time he took yesterday out of his hectic schedule to visit with us.  We will post a few photos when we get them.  Oh, you may wonder why the Governor’s visit didn’t coincide with “National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month” in September?  Because, until we make A LOT more progress, I’m calling EVERY month “National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month”!!!

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The following ’articles’ are SO powerful, you must take the time to read them.  The first part is shared from another website (author unattributed) and the second part is attributed to a writer named Christine Reid.  If this doesn’t get you thinking, I don’t know what will.

“The end of September is approaching and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month has passed, largely unnoticed by society. The rush to shower us with pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month is reminiscent of the crowding away of pumpkins and scarecrows by Christmas trees and snowmen. Except there’s no pushing gold aside. The way is clear for pink.

Even the American Cancer Society — the outfit that professes to represent all cancers and provide support for everyone affected by the disease — the organization for which we all come together and raise funds by holding a Relay each year — has chosen not to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Go to www.cancer.org and what do you see? The banner at the top of the page is pink and touts the ACS’ commitment to fighting breast cancer.

Of course, I, among all people, am grateful for the focus of so many foundations and researchers on breast cancer. I know I wouldn’t be looking at a future that is likely cancer free (or free of breast cancer, anyway) without the research and the focus on breast cancer during the past decade.

Still — I’d rather have my son.

What if the focus that remains on breast cancer was turned to pediatric brain cancer?

I know millions of women are affected by breast cancer. But almost all of them are effectively treated.

Only thousands of kids are affected by brain cancer. But many — perhaps most — of them die.

This is so politically incorrect, I am hesitant to write it. But, as I write, I am without breasts and sans colon.

And one son short a full house.

If anyone can speak to this issue, I think I can.

I am grateful for the pink that signals the arrival of October in our day and time. I just wish there was a wave of gold — more in terms of funding for research, but also in terms of awareness — to usher in the pink.”

~~~~

Christine Reid

September is a disease awareness month, which you probably recognized by the gold ribbons displayed on all the corporate advertising on TV and in magazines and the special media reports.

What’s that? You haven’t seen any? That’s because, for some reason, this class of diseases attracts hardly any public attention.

If I said “pink ribbon,” you would have immediately thought of breast cancer. “Red ribbon” might be a little trickier, but eventually you would have come up with heart disease.

But the gold ribbon is nearly invisible.

It represents childhood cancers.

Today, as you read this, the equivalent of a classroom full of children will be diagnosed with cancer in the U.S., more than 12,400 a year. About 4,000 child cancer victims will die this year, making cancer the number one disease-related killer of children under 14.

While 75 percent of childhood cancer cases are curable, for some forms, a cure remains illusive.

Only one new cancer drug has been approved for pediatric use over the past two decades. For some of the rarest, but most deadly, childhood cancers, no new treatments have been introduced in more than three decades.

For every one child diagnosed with pediatric AIDS, 15 children are diagnosed with cancer, yet available funding dollars designated for research are vastly disproportionate: $595,000 for each AIDS victim and only $20,000 for each pediatric cancer victim.

Federal funding for breast cancer research is more than double that for all 12 major groups of pediatric cancer combined.

Those statistics are staggering, particularly here in Kingfisher County where we can superimpose the faces of so many amazing children over those raw numbers: Zach, Morgan, Colby, Logan and Shaelyn are just a few that come to mind.

Those portraits in courage, whose resilience and tenacity – sometimes against all odds – have inspired us all, make it even more important that our gold ribbons are not invisible this September.

~~~~~~~~~~

Say no more….for now! 

Live Like Andrew — fight for the little guy.

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALI!!!

YOUR MOM & I COULDN’T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER DAUGHTER AND ANDREW COULDN’T HAVE A BETTER SISTER!!!!  WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

B+

Mom, Dad & Andrew

Our “3rd Annual B+ Foundation Golf Outing, Dinner, & Auction” is a week from tomorrow - Monday, Oct. 12th.  If anyone would like to join us for either the entire day (we have about 1-2 foursomes left) or just the dinner/auction portion, please contact me as soon as possible or register online at www.BePositive.org.  We need to get a count to the country club within the next few days.  Even if you’re not a golfer, I hope you’ll consider joining us for the dinner.  It casual, inexpensive, we have a B+ Hero as our guest speaker, the night won’t be long, and we have some great auction items…like the following:

AUCTION ITEMS INCLUDE:

·         2010 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL VIP PACKAGE FOR 4

·         SIXERS SUITE FOR 10 WITH FOOD

·         TRAVEL PACKAGES

·         EAGLES AND PHILLIES TICKETS

·         AUTOGRAPHED JONAS BROTHERS GUITAR

·         SIGNED BONO SELF-PORTRAIT SKETCH

·         AUTOGRAPHED AND FRAMED ROLLING STONES DRUMHEAD

·         PIZZA AND BEER FOR 100 AT FAMOUS JACKS ON NAAMANS ROAD

·         ROUND OF GOLF AT WILMINGTON COUNTRY CLUB

·         COMPETITIVE LEVEL SWIMMING LESSONS

·         HERSHEY SPA VACATION

·         EXQUISITE JEWELRY FROM INDULGENCE JEWELERS

·         And more!

Please join me in praying for good weather! 

Thanks!

Live Like Andrew - live today like it was your last!

B+

Proud Dad and husband of our “Family of Four”…that will never change.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough