Humility and Impact in Joe McDonough’s Blood Cancer Heroes Experience

Joe McDonough has spent nearly two decades supporting children with cancer and their families through The Andrew McDonough B+ (Be Positive) Foundation, which he co-founded following the loss of his son Andrew. The foundation has grown into one of the largest sources of financial and emotional support for families navigating childhood cancer in the U.S.

In December 2025, McDonough was recognized at the Blood Cancer Heroes event, an annual celebration hosted by CURE in partnership with Blood Cancer United that honors individuals making meaningful contributions to the lives of people living with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and myeloproliferative neoplasms. The event highlights those who strengthen patient communities and amplify the voices of those affected by blood cancers.

At the event, Joe McDonough shared his excitement at being among individuals making meaningful contributions to others’ lives. Moreover, he spoke candidly about the enduring responsibility he feels to protect his family and the principle he shared with his children: to make a difference in at least one person’s life each day.

Transcript

What does the Blood Cancer Heroes event mean to you?

Well, I am super excited to be alongside other amazing people. Let me correct that: I am super excited to be around amazing people. I am not going to put myself in their category; that would be a bit too bold. I am just a dad. I am a dad from Delaware who is facing my worst fear. Something happened to my child, and I could not fix him; in a way, I failed him. I know there was not anything more I could have done, I don't think, because I have asked it a million times, but my job is to protect my family, and I think that is important every day.

I used to tell my kids this when they were young: make a difference in the life of at least one person each day. The people who are being recognized at this event today and those who were nominated are people who have tried and succeeded in making a difference in the life of somebody each day in their communities, however their community is defined. So, it really is humbling, and I am not saying that to sound noble, to be a part of the group of people who have put something bigger than themselves ahead of themselves and made that part of their lives.

There are a lot of other things these people could have been doing, but they are doing this to make a difference in the world.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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