I am proudly nominating my daughter, my best friend, Ali McDonough for your Featured Brave Chick.
Words cannot describe the incredible pride that I have in Ali. In January, 2007, Ali's best friend and brother, Andrew, went from playing 4 soccer games on Saturday to cardiac arrest just 48 hours later. We learned that Andrew had AML (Leukemia) and his body went into major septic shock. Over the course of the next 166 days, Andrew underwent nearly 50 surgical procedures and Ali was by his side for every one. Andrew passed away on July 14, 2007 at the age of 14 -- in his sister's arms.
Ali was simply amazing. She virtually lived by herself, went from school (Junior in HS at the time) to the hospital, and spent many nights at the hospital. On several occasions, we had to pull Ali out of school to race to the hospital as Andrew's condition was slipping. While juggling school, and our traumatic hospital experience, Ali was also studying for her SATs. Andrew's blood type was B+ (Be Positive) and Ali decorated Andrew's hospital rooms that instructed doctors and nurses to stay out unless they were going to 'Be Positive'. Ali was involved in every single meeting and discussion about her brother's care. She had a full say in every decision. Andrew always looked forward to Ali's visits.
After Andrew went to Heaven, Ali has become very involved in The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation (www.BePositive.org) and she has - in her quiet way - provided so much support for the children in the hospitals and for their siblings. She visits children in the hospital, texts them, and calls them with message of moral support. It would be very easy for Ali to just curl up in a ball, but she is honoring her brother by reaching out to others in their time of greatest need. Ali is truly an inspirational young lady. One year after her brother went to Heaven, Ali worked as a volunteer lab assistant in a cancer research center working on Wilm's Tumor. She's simply amazing.
Ali is now a freshman at the University of Delaware and, quite honestly, every day is extremely difficult. But, Ali is an incredibly "Brave Chick" and she battles through each day. I am SO proud to say that I'm "Ali's Dad" and I can't think of a better person to receive your designation as "Featured Brave Chick". Thank you!
...the feeling you get when you recieve one of these kits is awesome.
