July 21 08

I can’t help but remember one year ago today, July 21, 2007. It was a day filled with such mixed emotions. On the one hand, my stomach was sick as we gathered at Salesianum School for the Celebration of Andrew’s Life. On the other hand, I was so overwhelmed to see about 2,000 friends (old friends and friends who we hadn’t yet met) who stopped their worlds for a couple of hours to come out and support us. That meant a lot to us. It really does mean a lot to families when you come out and support them like this. I feel good that Andrew was proud of us all that day.

On the anniversary of that day, I guess it was only fitting that I wrote out a B+ Foundation check today to a family who is grieving the loss of their little girl while facing financial hardship. Most of the time, your Foundation helps families who are still in the hospital. This time, the application has come in a few weeks after this brave little girl has joined Andrew. People reached out to help us on July 21st of last year, and we all - the B+ Nation - are reaching out to help others on this July 21st.

You should also feel proud as we have recently helped the families of a 10 yr old CA boy with leukemia, a 2 yr old PA boy with rhabdomyosarcoma, and a 4 yr old DE boy with leukemia.

I would like to ask you for continued prayers for my brother-in-law, Dan. As you may recall, Dan “beat” lymphoma 4 years ago, only to have a secondary (and more significant) cancer develop as a result of one of the chemo drugs he took for the lymphoma. Why can’t we get ’smart chemo’??? For the record, we’re not just sitting idly by complaining about this. Your Foundation is out looking for research facilities that are doing something about this. More to come. So, back to Dan. Dan is back in the ICU and very much needs your prayers. Thank you.

Live Like Andrew — make the most of the rest of the day!!!

B+

Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad