Happy Thanksgiving

B+ Hero Mason

Mason is only 13 years old, he’s been diagnosed with brain cancer, lost his dad to an accident, is one of 4 kids, and lives hours from his hospitals…yes, plural - hospitals. That’s the life of a child with cancer.

“Hello, my name is Whitney. My son, Mason was diagnosed with brain cancer shortly after Easter 2025. Mason is a great kid who has unfortunately been dealt a bad hand in his short 13 years. We lost his father in a motorcycle accident back in 2021, and now he has to battle cancer. Regardless of the circumstances, Mason had shown up to each treatment with great bravery and determination. The smile he is known for never faded. Mason’s treatment consisted of four rounds of chemotherapy at the Children's Hospital down in Milwaukee, which is about an hour and a half from our home in Appleton. Following chemotherapy, Mason had six weeks of radiation in Rochester, Minnesota which was about 4 hours from our home. Because of the amount of appointments and the level of care Mason needed, this took me away from work. Being a single mother with 4 kids at home wasnt easy to begin with, and now with the challenge of not working and being on the road for treatment, it added great stress and uncertainty for me. Thanks to the community around us as well as programs like B+, we were supported and helped through this dark and difficult time. I am so thankful for all of the love, support, prayers, and more we had received during our journey. Thank you and God bless.”

ACCELERATE Annual Conference

Last week, I shared an opportunity with you to join me in Washington, DC to lobby our federal legislators on behalf of our kids with cancer. It really is a cool experience, if you happen to be on the fence about it.

This week, I want to share with you a research conference that will be happening in February in Brussels. ACCELERATE, the platform that includes investigators (researchers, oncologists), industry (pharma), advocates (charities) and very importantly, regulators (EMA, FDA, etc.) ACCELERATE, which is underwritten by The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, is a unique and highly-respected group. My offer today is more likely targeted to the researchers who read my blog…although any can attend. If you’re interested in being part of the future of childhood cancer research, register today.

Hope you all enjoy a fun, peaceful, and healthy holiday season.

B+

Ali & Andrew’s Dad