Andrew lives!

This past Saturday, we had the privilege of attending the wedding of our neighbor and friend, Kayla DeSeta.  As I walked into the reception, I was taken back, to say the least, to see a B+ shirt hanging from the head table!!!  Also, attached to each table placement card was a B+ card with our boy’s picture on it.  Kayla addressed the audience and told them that “a 14 year old friend” couldn’t be there in person with them.  She went on to tell everyone that the money raised from the ‘dollar dances’ with the bride and groom would be donated to The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.  I was so proud of Kayla and so appreciative of Kayla’s and Buck’s generosity.  Yesterday, Kayla’s grandparents brought over the proceeds — $600 —to support our mission!  Amazing!  It was also really nice that so many people at the reception asked us about Andrew, said they prayed to him, and that they’ve followed our journey.  I’ll bet my boy was smiling.

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

While most of the Heroes that I write about are children facing cancer, you will probably recall another Hero that I’ve written about — Elizabeth Loncki.  Senior Airman Loncki, from New Castle, DE,  was killed in action in Iraq on Jan 7, 2007.  There will be a 5k run for the Elizabeth Loncki Scholarship Fund on Sat. Aug. 14th.  Please come out and support the Loncki family and this great American HERO.  For registration, please visit:

www.trisportsevents.com or www.oldnewcastlerun.com 

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Just a reminder - you can help The B+ Foundation just by searching the internet.  When you use GoodSearch as your search engine, a donation is made to our Foundation.  If you purchase merchandise through GoodSearch, an additional amount is given to us.  Add GoodSearch to your tool bar and register that your donations should go to The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.  I like things like this where we don’t have to ask you to do anything beyond what you would normally do.  Thanks for helping us.

http://www.goodsearch.com/

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Please mark your calendars for two exciting, upcoming B+ events.

• Thurs. Aug. 19th — Block Party in Wilmington - located in the area between the Nemours and Brandywine Buildings.  There will be bands, food & drinks.  The B+ Foundation is the designated charity for this evening.  If you would like to join us, please let me know and we’ll get wristbands to you.  Admission wristbands cost just $5 and 100% of the money goes to our Foundation.  You can sell them at work, to your neighbors, friends, etc.  Just email me if you want some… joe@livelikeandrew.org.  Come out and join us for a fun night after work!
• Fri. Aug. 20th — “B+ Night at the Blue Rocks”.  We’re going to take over the place with B+ Heroes going on the field, throwing out the first pitch, the players wearing special B+ jerseys (that will be auctioned off after the game), tables of B+ merchandise, a lot of fun, AND fireworks!  Please visit www.BePositive.org to order your tickets.  The B+ Foundation receives $2 from every ticket sold through our site.
• Iron Hill Brewery’s “Double Chocolate Hill”.  Why not cap off the night (on B+ Night or any night) with a decadent chocolate dessert at Iron Hill Brewery on the Riverfront in Wilmington.  For every “Double Chocolate Hill” dessert that is ordered, $.75 is donated to CureSearch and $.75 is donated to The B+ Foundation in support of our common cause to fight childhood cancer.  Chris, Ali, & I shared one last night…it’s really good!!!  And, when you’re doing it for charity, the calories don’t count!  Trust me!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally, I was driving past a nearby school the other day when I saw a hundred or so pint-sized Phillies players.  It brought back such memories.  A couple of times each summer, the Phillies run their kids camps around the region and Andrew participated in the camp on two occasions.  I remember how excited he was to wear his “official” Phillies uniform.  I also remember how proud he was when he won an award at one of the camps.  Andrew was a really good baseball player; he loved the game.  As I slowly drove by the field, it really felt like someone was turning a knife inside me.  I miss just having a catch with him.  Andrew gave me such great memories.  It was at that very field, just 2 weeks before Andrew went into the hospital, that we had batting practice for the very last time. 

Incidentally, Ali and I returned there the other day and I pitched to Ali in the cage.  She hasn’t swung a bat in a few years, but it only took a swing or two to knock the rust off.  Before I knew it, she was drilling the ball.  I’ll bet Andrew was smiling then as well.

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

Live Like Andrew — HAVE FUN.

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

The B+ Heroes never cease to amaze me!

In spite of the pain and challenges that she endures, Rina Goldberg (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rinag) has worked with students from Philadelphia University to design adaptive clothing for kids battling critical illnesses.  As you’ll see on her site, she designed the shirt so that it can accomodate her various lines and other life-saving devices.  You don’t think about these kinds of challenges until you’re in the hospital.  Bravo, Rina!

~~~~~~~~

As some of you may know, B+ Hero, Alex Blythe (Mr. AB+), has experienced a recurrence of his osteosarcoma.  AB+ recently returned from his Make-a-Wish trip to Greece and had surgery last week.  It’s so cruel that Alex has to beat this beast AGAIN.  AB+ is one tough kid…don’t ever give up the fight, pal.  Alex is a fighter and a real wise guy (I say that as a great compliment).  Just read today’s Journal Update on his site and you’ll get a good laugh. 

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

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Alexa Brown was an incredibly brave young lady from Toledo, OH who passed away last year.  Like many of us, the Brown Family is on a mission to raise awareness (and government funding) of and for these terrible childhood cancers.  I’ve attached a link below where you can watch the first part of a two-part series that a Toledo station put together on the Brown family and their little Hero.  It’s quite moving.  Believe me, it’s worth your time.

http://www.wtol.com/global/story.asp?s=12870236

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Another family on a mission is the Langseder family.  Jack Langseder passed away Oct 6, 2009 of Ewing’s Sarcoma.  Jack lived in Hockessin, DE and his family rallied to field the #1 fundraising team in our June 17th B+ 5k.  The Langseders have started the Jack Langseder ForeverStrong Foundation to support research into Ewing’s Sarcoma.  The ForeverStrong (”4evr Strong”) Foundation will be holding a 5k Run on Sun Sept 26th at 9am at Rockford Park.  Please join us (”Andrew’s Angels” Team) by clicking on the link below.

https://www.elleevance.com/Jacks5K2010/EventLandingPage.aspx

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Finally, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the family and friends of John Schwind for allowing us to be a part of their “2nd Annual John Schwind Memorial Golf Tournament”.  John is a father, husband, grandfather, friend to many, and Wilmington Police Officer who passed away in 2008 following his own battle with lung cancer.  As with last year’s event, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation was the beneficiary of this year’s outing.  What a great way to honor John’s life.  Thank you very much!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Please keep all of the B+ Heroes, near and far, in your prayers.  Until you go through this, you can’t imagine the hell.  I pray that you don’t ever experience it.  Unfortunately, there are thousands of families, in our country alone, who are facing the biggest battles imaginable - for the life of their child.  Please feel good knowing that because of your support of The B+ Foundation, 350 families of critically ill children across the country have received a total of $300,000 in assistance!!!  And, that doesn’t count the $250,000 in research money that we’ve given out.  Thank you for helping us in this fight.  We’ve got a lot more to do.

God bless you.

Live Like Andrew — let your loved ones know how much they mean to you.

B+

Forever proud to be,

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

All days are difficult, but the days of last week were particularly tough.  It’s just so hard to believe that my boy has been gone from this world for 3 years.  I miss him so much and, selfishly, I miss so much what he did for our family while he was here in person.

I can’t thank everyone enough for all of the kind words expressed last week.  Your support means so much to us.  And, I too, was blown away by Chris’ and Ali’s Journal Updates last week.  You can definitely see why I say that I am so blessed to have such incredible ladies in my life.

Finally, I’d like to thank D-ROC, a group of young people from the Dover, DE area, for hosting “A Night at the Movies” to benefit our Foundation.  They showed a couple of great movies on big outdoor screens on Friday night and it was really nice to see so many families and young people turn out.  While I appreciate it from the perspective as a leader of The B+ Fdn, I appreciated it even more as “Andrew’s Dad” to see so many kids - and adults - “Living Like Andrew”.  Andrew ‘lives’!

Thanks so much for helping us through last week.  You certainly “Lived Like Andrew”!

B+

“Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad”

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

Do you know what happened 3 years ago today?  Do you know what you did July 14, 2007? I’ll never forget it.

I can’t believe it has been 3 years…In some ways, it feels as though it has been a lifetime since I’ve seen Andrew.  Then again, I can remember that day as if it was yesterday. 

Today marks 3 YEARS since Andrew went to Heaven.  1,095 days since I’ve seen my brother…hugged my best friend…laughed with him…told him secrets that I could only tell him. He understood me perfectly.  We, literally, could finish each other’s sentences.  It was special and I loved every minute of it. 

July 12, 2007, my parents and I were told that Andrew wasn’t going to make it through the day.  We had heard that before, but this time was different.  Not once did I imagine this outcome.  Despite everything, I was certain we’d leave the hospital with Andrew. Sure, he’d need some physical therapy to get back in shape, but he’d be on the soccer field in no time.  This time, I knew it was real. 

As our extended family started gathering outside the hospital room, it became even more real.  I hated the new reality that was starting to hit me.  All of the people outside his room in the PICU were there to say goodbye.  That is NOT how it was supposed to be…

We didn’t leave his side once that day.  How could we? People came and went and my parents and I took turns lying in the hospital bed with Andrew. 

It was starting to hit harder.  As background, I cried every time we dropped Andrew off at his overnight soccer camps, for which he was only gone one week.  How on Earth would I ever make it through more than 7 days without him?  I had no idea…I still don’t, really.

Around 1:50 pm, I was lying in the hospital bed hugging Andrew. I could not stop crying. I was trying to think of everything I needed to tell him.  Obviously, I told him I love him a million times.  I told him that all of his friends love him.  I told him how thankful I am to have been blessed with the perfect brother.  I told him how fortunate I was that he was more than a brother, but also a best friend to me.  I thanked him for showing me what it means to never give up.  I thanked him for touching so many people’s lives.  I told him that he will always be my very best friend.  I told him I’d take care of his dog, Casey – they loved each other like crazy. I told him that it was okay for him to go to Heaven, and that we’d keep his memory alive.  I asked him to watch over us and help us through each day.  I told him he’d never be forgotten.

At 1:55 pm, as I lay in the bed hugging him and trying to remember every single thing about him, Andrew went to Heaven.  I never could have imagined anything so painful.  Recalling the events leading up to that moment, literally, make me feel sick.  This never should have happened…

Not once did Andrew give up.  He fought so hard for the entire 167 days.  If you recall, I posted that day that:

Saturday, July 14, 2007 2:43 PM, EST

Our Hero is healed. Andrew’s in Heaven watching over us.

Extremely Proud to Be,

“Andrew’s Sister”

I firmly believe that Andrew is in Heaven watching over us.  I’m sure he has a full head of curly blonde hair and has been playing endless soccer and baseball games.  I know he was there to take care of Chloe Schultz when she joined him 2 days later.  By now, I’m sure he has met Savannah, Erin, Evan, Taylor, Alexa, Jack, Jeremy, Billy, Kaylyn, Arden, Julian, Christian, Jessica, Tyler and unfortunately, many more innocent children who had their lives cut short because of awful cancer.  I hate that there are so many kids in Heaven…that’s not how it’s supposed to be.   

Recently, I haven’t been talking of Andrew much, but that - by no means - is me trying to “get over” him.  I will NEVER “get over” the loss of my best friend.  Lately, the pain has been so heavy on my heart that thinking about him, let alone speaking about him, makes me lose control and cry non-stop.  No matter what, please continue talking to me about Andrew.  If you do and I cry, I promise you, it’s not your “fault” and you have no need to be sorry – it happens, I cry. 

I know great things have come after Andrew passed away.  But, I’m certain he would have continued to do great things here on Earth.  We could still have The B+ Foundation, do the events we do, fund research and help families.  I just don’t get it.

Nothing against my parents, but I HATE this new life. There aren’t supposed to only be 3 people in our house, or when we go to restaurants, or anywhere. We’re supposed to be four.

Andrew, I’m so sorry for ever letting you down. I’d do anything to go back in time & make everything perfect. You’ve gone through way too much. It’s unbelievable. You’re the best thing that’s ever & will ever happen to me. September 3, 1992 was the best day of my life. I’m so grateful for you.  Thank you for always being there for me & protecting me. I’m extremely proud of you, best friend, & I couldn’t ask for anything more. You mean the world to me.

SO Proud to Be,
“Andrew’s Sister”

After 30 years of knowing someone, you think there can be no surprises. But tragedy and hardship bring out characteristics that you didn’t know were there. The past 3 and a half years
have allowed me to discover Joe’s hidden strength, wisdom, emotion, sense of responsibility, honor, business acumen, empathy, counseling skills, and parenting skills.

Joe continues to surprise me. Birthdays aren’t that important to us anymore, but they do prove that we’re carrying on. Not moving on, just carrying on.

So happy birthday, Joe, with love.

–Chris

One mother’s thoughts:

Despite all the doctors, all the surgeries, all the dire prognoses, until July 12th, 2007, we never thought that Andrew was dying.  The plan was always for the four of us to leave the hospital together.  On three occasions, the experts had told us that Andrew wouldn’t make it through the night, but each time we knew they were wrong — and Andrew proved it.  Even coming back from a crash during an MRI to raise his fist in the air and proclaim “I’m back.”  But on July 12th, when the doctors told us for the fourth time that Andrew wouldn’t make it, the four of us knew they were right.  Remembering that July 13th is Joe’s birthday, Andrew held on for another 40 hours until July 14th.  He gave his family time to say goodbye for the first – and last – time. 

I now believe that God and Andrew’s plan all along was for Andrew to stay with us in the hospital long enough for us to get our minds in a place to be able to live without him.  How very difficult everything about the past three years would be had Andrew been taken from us the very first night of his diagnosis.  His strength of mind and body kept him with us 166 more days to allow us to come to terms.  Although the past three years have not been easy, I know they would have been so much more difficult if Andrew had not stayed with us so long after diagnosis.  If you knew what Andrew had to endure over those 167 days as the sickest patient they’d ever had, you’d understand why we unabashedly call Andrew a hero.

–Andrew’s proud Mom

For our B+ friends in South Jersey, there will be a benefit concert tomorrow evening (Fri July 9th) at the Eagle Theatre in Hammonton, NJ at 8pm.  George Protopappas and the Hammonton Brass will give their second annual concert to benefit The B+ Foundation.  We had the pleasure of watching them perform last year and they are very, very good.  Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend this year as tomorrow is our 27th weddding anniversary.  Hopefully some of our friends in NJ will represent us in Hammonton.  Thank you, George, for your support of our mission to eradicate childhood cancers.

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I would like to thank Eddie Gibbons and Caitlin Meara for including The B+ Foundation in their “big day”.  The happy couple will be getting married this Saturday and they will be giving their guests B+ stickers and B+ cards.  Eddie and Cate also made a generous donation to our Foundation.  Eddie coached Andrew on the Delaware Olympic Development Program (ODP) soccer team.  Congratulations and best wishes for many happy years!

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Calling all golfers and sponsors!!!   This year, we are moving our “4th Annual B+ Golf Outing, Dinner, & Auction” to the DuPont Country Club on Mon. Sept 27th.  The championship course at DuPont is in tremendous shape and, if you’ve never been there, the facilities are amazing.  (DuPont CC is where Chris and I had our wedding reception.)  If you’re interested in joining us for a fun day of golf — or just join us for the dinner and auction - please visit the link below.  Also, if you or someone you know, is interested in joining us as a sponsor, please contact me at joe@livelikeandrew.org.  Thanks!!!

Live Like Andrew — keep life in perspective.

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

https://www.signup82north.com/beventLive.aspx?EventID=NBI20371240

Hope you all had a nice Independence Day holiday weekend. 

I’d like to focus today’s Journal Update on an incredible young lady named Rina Goldberg.  Rina lives in PA and is battling mitochondrial disease.  Rina exemplifies the “B+ spirit”.  When she had her Make-A-Wish experience granted, she chose to have a room in her home renovated rather than taking a trip.  One of the prominent features of the room is a door with a huge “B+” on it.  Rina has written a screenplay and insisted upon her family wearing their B+ shirts for their read-through the other day.  As you will see on the second link below, Rina’s family has shared a really cool slide show of the day’s events.  Rina even picked out the music and, what an amazing choice she made.  Thank you to Robin Trautmann who generously gave of her time and talent to help Rina and her family with this project.  Please take a few minutes to watch Rina’s slide show.  You won’t regret it.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rinag/journal?jid=5743823

http://robintrautmannphotography.com/slideshows/Magic%20Bracelet.exe

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For those of you who are local, one of our B+ Heroes, Noxah Palomo, is having “Noxah Night at the Blue Rocks” this Saturday night.  Come out and join the fun and sign up for the bone marrow registry.  Noxah needs your help.

~~~~~~~~~~

Another great activity coming up is “A Night at the Movies” on July 16th in Dover, DE.  The fun starts at 8pm and it will be a “Blind Side” & “Up” double feature.  The location is the Holy Cross Field.  What’s so cool about this night is not that it is a fundraiser for The B+ Foundation (which it is), but that it is organized by a group of teenagers called D-ROC (Delaware Revolution of Change).  Please come and support these guys, help fight childhood cancer, and have fun!  For more information, please visit the Facebook page for “A Night at the Movies”:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131957036824448

Live Like Andrew - smile (even if it’s 100 degrees!  :) 

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

I’d like to share with you an honor that Andrew has received which really blew me away.

We just received a “State of Delaware Senate Tribute”, sponsored by State Sen. Michael Katz, and signed by each State Senator from Delaware.  As you will see in the picture on www.Caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough , Sen. Katz sponsored a Tribute recognizing Andrew as a “Scholar, Athlete, and Inspiration to Thousands of People”.  There’s a great picture of Andrew and the proclamation is so well-written, kind, and respectful.  I never imagined that Andrew would be the recipient of a tribute by the State Senate; certainly not without him being here to receive it in person.  But, we are, nevertheless, extremely grateful to Sen. Katz and the Delaware State Senate for honoring our son, brother, and friend.  We, humbly and graciously, accept this Tribute on Andrew’s behalf.

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

On a MUCH lighter note, the New Castle Jaycees are holding a “Charity Date Auction” at the Christiana Hilton on August 7, 2010.  The event’s beneficiaries this year are your B+ Foundation and the Police Athletic League.  We have been asked to round up some bachelors to be auctioned off for a date.  If you are a bachelor between 21-40 and want to help out some charities, please contact me at joe@livelikeandrew.org.  The more bachelors we get, the more money that will be raised.  Be adventurous…for good.  (P.S. You don’t even have to pay for the date!  It’s all taken care of.)  We need to submit the names by July 9th.  Thanks for your help.

~~~~~~~~~~

Don’t forget to let me know if you’re interested in organizing a fundraiser with your group to sell B+ Coffee.  It’s a high quality, low-acid coffee that is an easy sell, you’ll make good money for your organization, and you’ll help us cure childhood cancer one cup of coffee at a time.  Thanks!

Live Like Andrew - HAVE FUN!

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough

I think this has been the longest I’ve gone without a Journal Update.  Been keeping very busy, though, following our tremendous 5k.

Since the 5k, we went to California for another high school graduation.  While I’m extremely proud of my nephew Jake’s accomplishments, it was still a very hard experience to smile through yet another graduation party and another graduation ceremony.  And, to make it even more challenging, the graduation party was on Father’s Day.

Being in California afforded Ali and I the opportunity to meet up with Gary Barker, father of Christian.  Christian, like Andrew, went to Heaven at 14.  The Barkers have a foundation called “Gold Rush Cure” and are also very involved with CureSearch lobbying efforts.  It was an honor and a pleasure to have breakfast with Gary.

Getting back to Father’s Day, there’s no better Father’s Day gift, in my opinion, than the homemade cards that Ali and Andrew made for me over the years.  We’ve saved them all and, periodically, I look through them.  There’s no comparison between them and store-bought cards.  Every night, I look at this jumbo birthday card that Andrew made for me many years ago.  It’s truly priceless.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I got a chance to see my nephew on Sunday, while he’s home on leave following his deployment to Afghanistan.  While it is really, really great to see Bob, I can’t help but think of all the other families who are sweating it out waiting for their loved ones to return home safely.  Please keep them all in your prayers.

~~~~~~~~~~~

In the 12 days since our “4th Annual B+ Fighting Childhood Cancer 5k Run/Walk”, YOUR Foundation has sent out checks to 18 families of critically ill children all over the country.  It’s hard to believe how many checks we send out.  The applications just keep pouring in…we couldn’t help them without your support and generosity.  On behalf of the kids, THANK YOU!

~~~~~~~~

I would like to introduce you to the latest B+ Program — coffee!!!  That’s right, we’re partnering with the “Kind Joe” company and we’re selling coffee with a good part of the proceeds going directly to our Foundation.  There are two prongs to this Program:

1. You can order coffee for yourself or as a gift via our website (www.BePositive.org ). 
2. Even better, please contact me at joe@livelikeandrew.org if you are involved with with a school, sports team, social organization, charity, or any group that is interested in raising money.  Kind Joe coffee, our product, is what you would sell instead of cookie dough, candles, wrapping paper, etc.  It’s a much easier ’sell’, your group will make a LOT of money, and - as a bonus- you’ll be helping to cure childhood cancer…one cup at a time.

The Kind Joe website is not totally finished, but you can visit www.kindjoe.com to check it out.  There will be 6 varieties and ALL are purified with a patented process to ensure that the coffee is much more gentle on your stomach.  Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the “Joe” in the name is the coffee.  :)    If you weren’t at the 5k, we sampled the coffee there and we got great reviews.

I would love to talk to representatives of swim teams, schools, sports teams, scouts, Knights of Columbus, other charities, and any group that would like to make some money.  Thanks!

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Live Like Andrew - show affection and spend time with your family!

B+

Proud Dad of Ali & Andrew

www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough