Andrew McDonough and the B+ Story

Andrew was 14, a bright, talented kid, star soccer player, an 'A' student with a sense of humor and kindness for all. Never met a nicer kid. One day he was starring in a soccer tournament, two days later he was in intensive care with leukemia and sepsis in cardiac arrest. Over the next 167 days, the story of his courageous battle would draw over a million hits to his family's CaringBridge website, media coverage from across the country, prayers and vigils from teams and athletes he never met...including soccer stars from the U.S. National Team, Jeff Gordon of NASCAR fame, numerous pro baseball players, and even local soccer and baseball teams he actually played against! Following Andrew's story changed the way kids played their games, helped parents put things in perspective with their kids, and touched millions of hearts.

"B+"..."Be Positive"... was more than Andrew's blood type, it was his attitude...and now it's the name of the foundation in his memory. To honor Andrew and spread his "magic", his family has started the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation to share the lessons that Andrew taught us throughout his full but far-too-short life. You can find out more at Andrew's Story. Thank you for visiting. Please share our story.

LESSONS FROM THE INSIDE:
One Family's Observations of Life in the Hospital.
A must-read excerpt from Joe's Journal last year.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          

The golf is already sold out, so please join us for the dinner and auction on Sept. 15th at 6pm. It's a casual, fun evening for adults and high school kids, too. There will be an exciting live auction and unique silent auction with items like these:

• Week stay at Outerbanks, NC, multi-family beach house
• Week stay in Bethany Beach house that sleeps 14
• Notre Dame VIP Football Package: 4 tickets to a 2009 game
• U of D Experience: 4 tickets, facilities tour, sideline passes during game
• Autographed script from the last episode of "Frasier"
• Pizza and Beer party for 100
• Family photography package
• Whole-house spring cleaning
• Trip package to Opryland
• Carrie Underwood autographed poster
• Jewelry from Indulgence Jewelers

Find out the details and register online here.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's UNITED WAY Time!

Please consider designating the B+ Foundation when your company asks for United Way contributions. 

Delaware residents --  Simply "write in" the following information on your pledge form:  

Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation
101 Rockland Circle, Wilmington, DE 19803
#11776

Federal or DE State Employees -- You can donate to the B+ Foundation by writing in “DCF -- B+ Foundation” on your pledge form.

Joe will be speaking at DuPont's United Way Kickoff Meeting in Wilmington, DE.

B+ FOUNDATION GETS HELP IN CREATIVE WAYS

We have been so humbled by the numerous grassroots fundraising efforts on behalf of the Foundation. Not only do these events serve to raise money to allow us to further our mission, but they dramatically increase awareness of the B+ Movement.  It’s especially rewarding to see kids helping kids!!!

• Boscov's Department Stores of Concord and Christiana in Delaware allowed us to raise awareness, sell B+ Gear, hot dogs, and discount shopping passes, with proceeds benefiting the B+ Foundation. You can buy a Boscov's discount shopping pass directly from us here.  The cost is just $5 and you'll get a 25% discount on all your purchases Oct. 7th.
• Alumni of Salesianum and Concord High Schools in Wilmington, DE, have an annual golf tournament and this year they decided to make it a charitable event with the proceeds benefiting the B+ Foundation.  Fittingly, Salesianum won!
• NBSL Swim Teams from north Wilmington, DE, held their championships at Ashbourne Hills Pool and bought B+ Gear to raise $2,000 for families in need. 
• The Kelly's Sweet 16 Party - Three young ladies (one set of twins and their cousin) celebrated their joint Sweet 16 Party recently and the girls asked for donations to the B+ Foundation in lieu of gifts. Approximately $3,000 was raised!
• The Ebenezer United Methodist Church (Newark, DE) selected the B+ Foundation as their Vacation Bible School Mission Project. They raised nearly $2,200, which I’m told is a record for them!
• The Three Little Bakers Swim Team (DE) as well as the Yorklyn Bees Swim Team (DE) are both running fundraisers this summer for the B+ Foundation. 
• Boscov’s hosted the b+ Foundation for a hot dog selling day on June 28th at their Concord Mall (DE) store. On August 23rd, they are featuring the B+ Foundation in their “Celebration of Children” at both their Concord Mall and Christiana stores. Thank you to all who have offered to volunteer.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT THE
2ND ANNUAL B+ 5K!

The 1200+ runners and walkers, along with all of our supporters who were with us in spirit, helped us raise over $40,000!!!

Congratulations to Paul Olivere (16:35) and Linda Odel (20:22) on great times on a very tough course. Results and times can be found at Delaware Running Company. 

And congratulations to the cancer survivors who were honored with B+ medals.

Amy Olin and her Team Speranza won the Blue Rocks SuperBox for raising the most money.

Ryan Dodds, a friend of Andrew's and soccer player on the Brandywine Galaxy, won Phillies tickets for his generous individual contribution.

Thank you to everyone for working hard raising donations, training, running, walking, organizing and working at the run.  Cathy, Denise, Jimmy, Mike and Dennis -- you deserve all the credit for making this 5k such a huge success.

Click here for more photos.  Look for yourself in photos from Bud Keegan Images that you can purchase online.  Thanks Bud!

Tour of Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research

The B+ Foundation arranged for Lt. Gov. John Carney (left, foreground) to tour the 1-year old Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research at AI DuPont Hospital, Wilmington, DE.  They're doing research into smarter chemotherapy that really excites us.  You can read more about their efforts at the NCCCR website.

2 NEW SALESIANUM SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

The B+ Foundation is proudly sponsoring 5 students at Salesianum School (Andrew's high school) — 2 Juniors and 1 Sophomore, who knew Andrew. We recently selected 2 incoming Freshmen to receive the Andrew McDonough B+ Scholarship. Joe and Chris were at Alex's graduation to formally present his scholarship.

 

Andrew McDonough B+ Award Given at St. Mary Magdalen

The St. Mary Magdalen Athletic Assoc. presented the inaugural B+ Award to the 8th Grade student who best exemplifies the B+ spirit of sportsmanship, having fun, and using your talents. Coaches nominated candidates and this year's award went to Jack Mangan. Congratulations, Jack!  The sign behind Joe and Jack will be hung on the SMM gym wall to remind everyone to B+ -- especially in the heat of a game.  Thank you so much, SMM Athletic Assoc.!

Andrew McDonough Memorial Award at New Garden Elem., PA

Started by Andrew's cousin, Austin, this award was
presented to the student who showed the best
academic improvement.  Congratulations Jose!

 

Joe Speaks at Seaford H.S. Graduation

Thanks to Rob Urell, Student President of Seaford (DE) High School for inviting Joe to be a keynote speaker at their graduation ceremonies. Joe gave a passionate speech about the lessons Andrew has taught all of us and shared his wisdom with these bright, young graduates. You can watch a video of Joe's speech here.

 

 

ANDREW McDONOUGH PLAYERS CUP GIVEN TO FCDELCO CHAMPIONS

Thanks to Rob Urell, Student President of Seaford (DE) High School for inviting Joe to be a keynote speaker at their graduation ceremonies. Joe gave a passionate speech about the lessons Andrew has taught all of us and shared his wisdom with these bright, young graduates. You can watch a video of Joe's speech here.

TREE TO HONOR ANDREW AT ST. MARY MAGDALEN

Andrew spent 7 years at St. Mary Magdalen School and was proud to represent his school in soccer, basketball, baseball and track. So we are pleased to have planted a Bonfire Sugar Maple tree next to the SMM gym to provide beauty, shade and a reminder to all future students to try their best and have fun!

WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT ANDREW!

The Fox Soccer Channel aired a segment about Andrew last year, which includes interviews with his FCDelco Roadkill coach and teammates. It's a beautiful tribute and you can watch it here.

WEAR YOUR B+ GEAR & START A CONVERSATION

We've got hoodies and T-shirts that have the B+ logo on the front and "It's not a grade. It's an attitude." on the back. We also have great looking black Performance T-shirts with a small white B+ logo on the front. We also have pink B+ T-shirts and green B+ T-shirts, along with wristbands and window clings. Check out photos and sizes of all the B+ Gear and order online

 

Do Good: "Pay it Forward" with B+ Cards

We're asking you to perform acts of kindness in honor of Andrew, and when you do, hand out B+ cards and tell us about it. Bet it makes you feel good to do good...
Share your B+ stories in our Guestbook. Contact us and we'll send you some B+ cards.

 

 

THANKS TO YOU...

The B+ Foundation has been able to help several families across the country who are struggling emotionally and financially with their critically ill children. If you know of anyone who can use help, have them contact us.

Here are a few who have received your financial help and could use your continued prayers.

• Hayden in Delaware
• Brendan in Pennsylvania
• Carrie in Mississippi
• Sasha in Delaware
• Felicia in Pennsylvania
• Erin in Illinois
• Xavier in Pennsylvania

You can now support the B+ Foundation with a secure online donation using your credit card. The B+ Foundation is an IRS-certified 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donations are tax deductible and you’ll be able to print out confirmation for your taxes. If you'd like to contribute to the B+ Foundation by check, we can provide acknowledgement letters. Kindly send your donations to: Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, 101 Rockland Circle, Wilmington, DE 19803.