Zemirah
Zemirah
On social media yesterday, we shared the sad news about the passing of a 6 year-old B+ Hero.
“Zemirah was so much more than her cancer. She was a daughter, a niece, a cousin, and a bright light. She was a baker, a makeup artist, a singer and a dancer who loved unicorns. She was the type of person who could bring a smile to everyone’s face.”
We partnered Zemirah with Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority at New York University. She called her “sisters” her “Big B+ Friends”! She loved doing make-up with them, painting pumpkins, and so much more. Zemirah is one of hundreds of B+ Heroes paired with student groups all around the country.
My heart breaks for Zemirah’s family, but also for her adopted family, her AEPhi sisters. When we ask students nationwide to help us fight childhood cancer, they step up! And, while they think they’re agreeing to help us raise awareness and money to fight childhood cancer (which they do well), they’re also doing so much more —- they’re giving love and hope to OUR kids and their families. When I was in college, I wasn’t thinking about children dying and I certainly didn’t know any. Our amazing student partners experience both the incredible joy and amazingness of these courageous kids, but also the sadness of what they endure and that some will not survive. For the kids with cancer, their families, the ones who will be diagnosed tomorrow AND all of B+ Nation, we fight on harder than ever. May 2022 be a year of incredible discoveries and healthier children.
B+ Foundation Awards $1,500,000 in Research Grants
We are SO fortunate to have a truly world-class B+ Foundation Scientific Advisory Board. We have 10 pediatric oncology experts who review the research applications that we receive through our proposalCentral portal. Please take a few minutes to read their background at this link and you’ll also get a chance to read about this year’s awardees. We are funding a very impressive collection of research with the awards from this last cycle.
I find the family stories so moving, but I really also get very geeked up about the research that we’re funding. You will not find a more transparent organization than The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. If you would like to learn more about any of the research that you are supporting through The B+ Foundation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at Joe@livelikeandrew.org. I am so excited that our efforts, when coupled together, are truly changing the landscape of childhood cancers. On behalf of the kids and their families, thank you!
Childhood Cancer Doesn’t Stop
Since childhood cancer doesn’t take a break for a pandemic or anything else, we cannot either. With some modifications, we’re moving full steam ahead with our school events and we plan to return to Salesianum this year for our in-person 16th Annual B+ 5k. We did postpone our great Wilmington Classic ice hockey game between the Wilmington Fire Department and the Wilmington Police Department, but stay tuned…we’re hoping to have the game in March. It’s always a blast.
As part of your New Year’s Resolutions, allow me to add one to your list.
HOW CAN YOU HELP THE B+ FOUNDATION FIGHT CHILDHOOD CANCER?
Beyond what you currently do (which we greatly appreciate), is there something more that you can do to help us. Do you want to run a 1/2 marathon with us. Can you organize a big team in our Delaware-based 5k? Can you organize a B+ 5k or golf outing or some other cool event in your hometown? Can you find a way to bring B+ to your workplace? Do you know students (anywhere) that might want to bring a B+ event to their school? We can help you plan ANY of these…and more. We just need the door opened for us.
Delaware Residents Can Fight Childhood Cancer on their Tax Returns
If you reside in Delaware and are lucky enough to be getting a refund this year, please consider sharing some of that windfall with The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. Thanks to Rep. Kim Williams and our state legislators, there is a check box on your state return whereby you can share with our kids.
Proud to be fighting on behalf of the kids.
Proud to be - Ali & Andrew’s Dad