B+ Hero Inspires Chapter
Members of Delta Tau Delta’s Gamma Iota Chapter at the University of Texas have been inspired by a local family impacted by childhood cancer. After a few years of fundraising for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, the brothers stepped up their fundraising and increased involvement to support the B+ Foundation’s mission. So far this year, the chapter has raised $17,222 and invested in building a relationship with a local family. Brothers visited Dell Children’s Hospital near campus to spend time with the family while their B+ Hero was receiving treatment.
At the University of Texas, the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation initially formed partnerships with the Alpha Epsilon Phi and and Sigma Chi Chapters, then began to connect with other chapters, including Delta Tau Delta, through the Interfraternity Council.
Delt’s Gamma Iota Chapter Philanthropy Chairman Coordinator Brendan Corcoran (2024) explained that in recent years, the chapter has hosted fundraising events that included representatives from B+ who explained how it honors the memory of Andrew, a 14-year-old student-athlete from Wilmington, Delaware.
On 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. He was diagnosed with AML Leukemia and battled septic shock and complications of childhood cancer for 167 days before he passed away on July 14, 2007. Andrew’s B+ blood type became his family 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.
As the philanthropy coordinator, Corcoran worked with the chapter’s executive board and was responsible for organizing the online fundraiser and setting up the hospital visits. Chapter members primarily raised money online by soliciting family and friends for donations. Corcoran said good communication and attention to detail in setting up the online Delt profile were key components to sharing the mission and exceeding their fundraising goals.
“What makes this year different is we also sponsored a patient with childhood cancer,” Corcoran said. “Our chapter has hosted events and visits at his hospital, and we have given our B+ Hero and his family a house tour where they got to meet most of the members of the chapter. It is hands down one of the most amazing experiences I have had within Delt and a part of my college experience.”
Carly Bergstein, executive director of The B+ Foundation, said the Delta Tau Delta members she has worked with are exceptional. “The men are passionate, kind, and have really bought into our mission and made it a part of their chapter,” she said. “Brendan, the most recent philanthropy coordinator, is an exemplary young man. He is mature and kind.”
The chapter has not only raised a significant amount of needed funds to support families of kids with cancer, but they have dedicated themselves to Rogan and his family. “Rogan is currently battling brain cancer. The men go visit him when he's in the hospital. They invited him and his family over to their house. When Brendan first virtually met Rogan, he heard he loved trains. Brendan got a bunch of the Delt men to draw pictures of trains to bring when he met Rogan for the first time. It is not every day a bunch of college men are willing to color with crayons, but these men did and without hesitation,” Bergstein said.
“What makes B+ Foundation special is its connection to college campuses. Other fraternities on our campus and across the country have partnered with B+ Foundation to sponsor other patients and raise money for the cause,” Corcoran said. The organization also has partnerships with Delta Tau Delta chapters at the University of Delaware, Villanova, Florida Institute of Technology, and Alabama.
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. Through its partnerships, students raise money but then get to work hands-on with the kids so they can really understand their impact. The B+ Foundation maintains a dedicated regional staff to work with schools nationwide to create meaningful partnerships!
"Being a part of The B+ Foundation for the last three years has been one of the most valuable aspects of my college experience,” Corcoran said. “Through my relationship with our B+ Hero and his family, I've witnessed the incredible impact B+ has on countless lives. Our B+ Hero inspires our University of Texas community, uplifting and motivating everyone around. The B+ Foundation's commitment to supporting families of children fighting childhood cancer is heartening and crucial. I'm so grateful to contribute to such a meaningful cause."
Learn more about how you or someone you know can get involved with a B+ School Event.