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 and "Live Like Andrew."

LESSONS FROM THE INSIDE:
One Family's Observations of Life in the Hospital
A must-read excerpt from Joe's Journal last year that has changed the way many hospital personnel now treat families and patients.

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                   JOIN US FOR FUN AND HELP B+

Dec. 1: "A+ Auction for the B+ Foundation" at the University of Delaware.  Bid on a date and proceeds benefit the B+ Foundation!  Thanks to Amy Facciolo and her freshman FYE class.

Dec. 4: "Grotto Pizza on Main Street, Newark"  From 4-9pm, 20% of your bill goes to the B+ Foundation. Use the coupon here.  Thanks to Carolyn Slusser and Alpha Omega Epsilon at UD.

Dec. 27-30: "Diamond State Classic" Girls High School Basketball Tournament. We could use volunteers to help us sell B+ Gear at this nationally recognized tournament in Wilmington, Delaware.

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NEW! CUSTOM-MADE B+ JEWELRY!

Now you can wear your B+ spirit at work, at play, anywhere.  Our friends at Indulgence Jewelers, one of the most well-respected fine jewelers in the Tri-State area, has worked with one of their Manhattan suppliers to custom-make a collection of very high quality sterling silver jewelry with an exact representation of the B+ logo. Choose from a 15-inch necklace, 8-inch bracelet, ring, pin or cufflinks.  See more pictures here and order online.

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2nd Annual B+ Golf Outing was a Huge Success!

Our goal for this year was simple: surpass last year.  And thanks to our generous sponsors and friends, we did just that.  Click here for details and pictures from our September 15th Golf Outing, Dinner and Auction that netted over $50,000 to help kids and their families.  Please plan to join us next year for a casual, fun, and exciting event.

    

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It's UNITED WAY Time!

Please consider designating the B+ Foundation when your company asks for United Way contributions.  Simply fill in your United Way form with the following information:

Delaware Residents -- #11776

Southeastern Pennsylvania Residents -- #47481

Federal or DE State Employees -- Write in “DCF -- B+ Foundation”

All Other States -- Write in "Delaware Community Foundation/B+ Foundation"

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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!!!

• Shayna Tiller and her friends baked treats and held a bake sale to raise money to help B+ families in need.
• Delaware Youth Soccer Assoc. and Hockessin Soccer held the Kohl's Cup soccer tournament and donated some of the proceeds to the B+ Found.
• Central DE Soccer Association asked players to collect donations for the Foundation and also sold B+ gear.
• Andrew's high school soccer team, Salesianum, joined with their opponents, Caravel Academy, to sell B+ gear and collect donations for the Foundation.
• The Wilmington Tigers Basketball Club wear the B+ logo on the sleeve of their warm-up shirts and have raised money and awareness by wearing them up and down the east coast.
• As part of his Mitzvah project, Sam Soeth sent us 6 gigantic boxes full of books, CDs and DVDs for the A.I.DuPont Hospital as well as a generous donation to the B+ Foundation from his Mitzvah money.
• Ryan Murphy and Mary and Emily Aleixo set up separate lemonade stands this summer and raised money and awareness for the B+ Foundation.
• 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. 
• 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!

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Mark Your Calendars for

Next Year's 5K

June 18 th, 2009

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

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

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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 CHAMPIONS of FCDELCO TOURN.

Andrew proudly played for FCDelco Soccer Club in Pennsylvania.  So it was a great honor when they named their Under-14 Boys Players Cup trophy after Andrew.  As we did last year, we proudly presented the Andrew McDonough Players Cup to the winner of the prestigious FCDelco Tournament this summer.

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!

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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

 

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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.  We also send B+ cards with every order of B+ Gear.

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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 of the most recent kids who have received your financial help and could use your continued prayers.

• Carla from Delaware
• Zachary from Pennsylvania
• Kyle from California
• Tyreek from New Jersey
• Brendan from Pennsylvania
• Marco from Pennsylvania
• Michelle from Delaware
• Vaibhav from New Jersey
  

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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.