Do you remember Christmas as a child? Think back for a second, or close your eyes, if you need to. As I close my eyes, I fondly remember Christmas Eve celebrations with my family, opening presents, and tracking Santa online anxiously awaiting his gifts under the tree the next morning. I remember waking up extra early, shaking awake my brothers at six in the morning to come to the family room and see what Santa had brought us. As I grow older, of course, the meaning of Christmas has matured, and the "reason for the season" is obviously more than presents under a tree. Christmas should be about love and family.
Unfortunately, not every child can experience the same good memories during this holiday season. Every day, approximately 46 children are diagnosed with some form of pediatric cancer, and that is 46 too many. That means that from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day this year, approximately 414 children will find out that they have pediatric cancer.
Think about what this means for the child, for his or her family. No child should have pediatric cancer at any time of year, let alone the Christmas season. Think about all the Christmas and holiday memories that these children deserve to experience just like you did. Since Christmas is about giving, you may be thinking to yourself, "What can I do to help?"
The Andrew McDonough B+ ("Be Positive") Foundation is a children's cancer charity foundation that provides direct financial aid to families of children with pediatric cancer. Many college campuses throughout the country, such as Villanova University, work in partnership with The Andrew McDonough B+ ("Be Positive") Foundation to provide year-long fundraising for children and their families that are affected by pediatric cancer and research that focuses on finding a cure.
During the spring, Villanova sponsors a 12-hour dance marathon, also known as NOVAdance, which focuses on raising as much money as possible that will directly go to families and research. Every child who The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation sponsors becomes a "B+ Hero". During NOVAdance, Villanova also invites all the B+ heroes in the greater Philadelphia area to join us in dancing, games, arts & crafts, karaoke, and much more.
This past March was my first experience with NOVAdance, and I was blown away in awe. The hours I spent on the dance floor are some of my favorite memories from my first year of college, and I am eagerly awaiting the days till NOVADance 2019. I loved spending time with the B+ heroes, who taught me how to make some string bracelets, broke out their best dance moves, and beat Villanova students in a game of half-court basketball.
Moments like this are precious to not only me but to our B+ heroes and their families. This is why The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation needs your help to make as many of these memories as possible for these B+ heroes and their families.
You are probably still asking how you can help, so donate to the Andrew McDonough B+ ("Be Positive") Foundation. No donation is too small because every donation goes directly toward a family and help fighting for a cure. Join us in the fight against childhood cancer so that no child ever has to hear that he or she has been diagnosed with pediatric cancer.
