ABOUT THE ANDREW MCDONOUGH B+ FOUNDATION

It’s not a grade. It’s an attitude.

Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer 

The Andrew McDonough B+ (Be Positive) Foundation honors the life of Andrew McDonough. Andrew battled leukemia, septic shock and complications of childhood cancer for 167 days before passing away on July 14, 2007, at the age of 14. Andrew’s B+ blood type became his family and friends’ motto throughout his fight against childhood cancer – to “Be Positive.”

The B+ Foundation is about Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer – raising money through events on college campuses, local events like 5Ks and Golf Outing, corporate partnerships, merchandise sales, and more – to provide financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer nationwide and fund critical, cutting-edge childhood cancer research.

Our Mission

The mission of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation has four areas of focus: financial assistance, childhood cancer research, awareness and spreading positivity.

Financial Assistance-01.png

Provide financial assistance to families of children with cancer

We have helped thousands of families across the country — financially and emotionally — as they care for their child with cancer. Through The B+ Family Assistance Program, The B+ Foundation is the largest provider of financial assistance to families of kids with cancer in the United States.

Research-01.png

Fund research to find cures for childhood cancers and advancements in treatment protocols

The B+ Foundation has provided research grants to institutions both nationwide and globally such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (TN), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (MA), Seattle Children’s Hospital (WA), Children’s Oncology Group, and the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research (DE). With your support, there are children and teens alive today due to research funded in part by The B+ Foundation.

Advocacy-01.png

Increase awareness of childhood cancer and advocate for increased research funds

Only 8.3% of the federal government’s cancer research budget is used for childhood cancer research. The B+ Foundation helped create the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer and is honored to be a member of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer to advocate for more government funds.

B+ Message-01.png

Spread The B+ Message

As it says on B+ t-shirts, “It’s not a grade. It’s an attitude.” By spreading The B+ (Be Positive) Message through outreach efforts and talks, we share the lessons that Andrew taught us: have fun, set goals and try your best, show affection, and be comfortable with yourself. We all need to “Live Like Andrew.”

Andrew’s Story

The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the memory of Andrew, a 14-year-old student-athlete from Wilmington, Delaware. January 27, 2007, Andrew helped lead his team to victory in a Pennsylvania state championship soccer tournament. Within 48 hours, he was in cardiac arrest. The diagnosis was AML Leukemia. The doctors didn’t expect Andrew to live through the night. Amazingly, Andrew fought for 167 days and went to Heaven on July 14, 2007.

Andrew’s life was far too brief, but he will be remembered forever for his wonderful sense of humor and kindness for all. His personality had a special magic, and his enthusiasm for life was infectious.

Awards & Accomplishments

Over the years, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation has received numerous awards for our achievements in the fight against childhood cancer. Below is a partial list of our honors and accomplishments.