About the Nonprofit
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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’s and friends’ motto throughout his fight against childhood cancer – to “Be Positive”.
The mission of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation has four areas of focus: financial assistance, childhood cancer research, awareness and spreading positivity.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Increase awareness of childhood cancer and advocate for increased research funds
Only about 7% 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.
4. 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.”