By Joergen Ostensen

This year’s Fordham Dance Marathon (FDM) auction generated $12,000 to benefit The Andrew McDonough B+ (Be Positive) Foundation. Around 200 people attend in support of the foundation and its efforts to improve the lives of families affected by pediatric cancer, according to Claire Polacheck, FCRH ’19, FDM’s executive director.

FDM has now raised close to $54,000 this year, and Polacheck said she is confident that it will reach its goal of $100,000.

“We are on pace with where we were last year in terms of percentage, and we are excited for the final fundraising push,” she said.  

The event began with over 50 raffle items, including baskets prepared by the Residence Halls Association (RHA) board of every residence hall.  

Later, there was a live auction where 17 items were sold for prices ranging from $60 dollars for an autographed poster of Clyde Drexler, to $2000 for the first housing slot.

The winner of the housing slot was Jacklyn Onody, GSB ’20, who lost in the same auction last year when the winner paid close to $16,000. Onody is the hero chair of FDM, which means she has firsthand experience with the children benefited by the auction.

The B+ Foundation calls the children it helps ‘heroes’ and RHA, through FDM, is involved with five in the local community.

“I honestly love the heroes we have and I feel like anytime we get a donation I’m so excited because I know it’s going directly to them,” said Onody.

The auction also featured a speech by Joe McDonough, the founder of The B+ Foundation. McDonough started the foundation after his son, Andrew, died of leukemia in 2007. He said The B+ Foundation got its name from both Andrew’s blood type and his attitude.

McDonough said he found the support of the Fordham community inspiring.

“This isn’t going to bring back my boy, but it inspires me everyday,” he said.

McDonough discussed the importance of the programs and research that the auction was funding.

“Collectively we are changing the landscape of childhood cancer,” he told the crowd.

As someone who experienced losing a son to cancer, McDonough understands the importance of the work his foundation is doing. He said receiving support not only helped his family pay medical expenses, but also made him feel less lonely.

“It makes you feel like you’re not so alone in the scariest, loneliest place you can be as a parent,” he said. “I felt helpless to save my son’s life, but I didn’t feel alone because we were wrapped in support.”

Polacheck said she thought McDonough’s speech helped students understand the impact of their donations.

“I think hearing him brings a lot of Fordham students closer to the cause and gives meaning to the raffle tickets and bids,” she said.

She also credited him with helping to inspire organizers.

“It also inspires RHA and the FDM committee to keep fighting toward not only our monetary goal, but also the goal of better treatment options and, eventually, a cure for childhood cancers,” she said.

Haley Hauge, GSB ’18, FDM’s operations coordinator, said she has seen McDonough’s talks inspire students.

“Hearing from Joe McDonough is always incredibly inspiring,” she said. “In my experience, when people learn about the background of The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, they are instantly motivated to get involved with the cause.”

Hauge, who paid $400 for a three month membership to Equinox, said participating in the auction has a direct impact on the foundation.

“I was motivated to bid on items during the live auction as the money I am spending goes directly to The B+ Foundation…instead of paying Apple or some other large corporation, my money directly helps support the fight against pediatric cancer,” she said.

McDonough’s foundation is on 90 college campuses all across the country.

“College students are so philanthropic…quite frankly more philanthropic than a lot of adults,” he said. “It just feels right. It’s inspiring to see young people step up to fight for kids.”

McDonough, who attended Fordham, said that Fordham students have been an inspiration to the foundation.

“Take the numbers aside, it’s the heart and soul of the students that I’ve come to meet here that is so inspiring to me,” said McDonough. “The money is absolutely wonderful, and it’s going to help so many families and fund research, but there is just a purity of motives, a passion, a genuine desire to change the world.”

Polacheck said the auction, which has been an annual RHA event for 24 years, has become an integral part of Fordham.

“I think this event is a significant part of Fordham’s culture,” she said. “I’ve found that Fordham students care deeply about their community, and this is just one way that they can help it and also win some prizes along the way.”

Many of those present at the event were there because they are a part of RHA. Rahil Meatel, GSB ’21, said RHA has helped connect her with the cause.

“We learn more about cancer awareness and meet some of the heroes,” she said. “I’m more obligated to be helping the cause.”

Brianna Miller, FCRH ’21, a member of RHA, said she had personally been involved with the heroes. She met one a week before the auction.

“His name is Jaidan, he’s awesome,” she said.

Miller said she was there to show her support.

“I’m here to support cancer research and The B+ Foundation,” she said.

Laurel Grant, FCRH ’21, who won one of the lottery baskets said she decided to contribute because it impacts the quality of life of the families the foundation helps.

“B+ is a great foundation,” she said. “It all goes to help kids with cancer and the families with treatments and just leading more comfortable lives.”

McDonough encouraged students unable to participate in the auction to show their support at future FDM events, or by sending out emails asking for donations on The B+ Foundation’s website. “The opportunity is still there for you,” he said.