All I Want For Christmas Is A Cure To Pediatric Cancer | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

All I Want For Christmas Is A Cure To Pediatric Cancer

Join us in the fight this season of giving.

94
https://www.instagram.com/p/BheVYcKhRa8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
@nova_dance Instagram

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.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

14799
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

2967
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 14 Stages Of The Last Week Of Class

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1784
black marker on notebook

December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments