The 1 Million 4 Anna Foundation website is currently under construction. Stay tuned here – we will keep you updated on our progress. Please contact carol.basso@1million4Anna.org with any questions. Thank you!

See original post here from Patrice Basso.

When Anna passed away, I was given a lot of advice, told a lot of inspirational things and supported to the max. However, out of all of those words of advice and inspirational quotes, etc. one thing stuck in my head all these months, and until now I didn’t really know why.

One of Anna’s favorite songs was Float On by Modest Mouse. She liked it so much and found it inspirational through her battle with cancer that she had it tattooed on her wrist. Today, the simple words “Float on”, not to mention the song itself are almost synonymous with Anna; if you knew her or at least knew of her you most likely associate ”Float On” with her. At the time of her passing, I’d heard the song a few times and knew it was a favorite of Anna’s but wasn’t overly familiar with the lyrics. That night, after everyone left and it finally hit me that I was going to have to live the rest of my life without my sister (a feeling I will never, ever forget) I was doing what any normal person would do doing what a social media freak would do using the internet to express my feelings and tweeting about it. One of Anna’s friends wrote me back with the lyrics from Float On “Bad news comes, don’t you worry even when it lands. Good news will work its way to all them plans.” At the time, I didn’t think much of it other than that I liked it a lot. It gave me hope that maybe something good can come out of this.

Today, on the 8 month anniversary of her passing, I can say with absolute certainty that good news worked its way to all them plans. So many amazing things have happened in Anna’s memory. First, we got to visit with her favorite band and hear how much she changed them. We participated in Red Balloon Race for the hospital she was treated at. And, most amazing of all, we started a foundation in her memory to help other families that have been affected by the same type of cancer, to start a scholarship fund and to help research efforts to try to prevent anyone from ever feeling that emptiness of losing someone they love to cancer.

But last week, we received the best news of all that we were given an amazing donation of $75,000!!!! My family and I are huge Dallas Mavericks fans, and we keep up with them regularly. We heard that their own, Mark Cuban, had been fined by the NBA for some not-so-nice comments he made about the refs after a game. We also heard that he always matched his fines (he gets fined a lot because he doesn’t like to keep his opinion to himself and the NBA doesn’t always agree with what he says) with a donation to charity. My mom thought why not reach out to him about our foundation and ask him to consider donating to us? Later that night, I got a text message with this in it.

It was official; Mark Cuban was donating $75,000 to us!!!! Words can not describe the feeling I had when I found out. Later, a friend of Anna’s posted on facebook “Good news definitely worked its way into the foundation’s plans. 1million4anna is gonna do some incredible things.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. It is more clear than ever, now, that good news is working its way to our plans. I have always believed that God had a reason for taking Anna from this Earth. I knew that her purpose was to touch lives and it is clear that she is continuing to do that from heaven, maybe even more so. Which is why God needed her up there, so she can help orchestrate all the amazing things that are happening. It doesn’t make it not hurt, but like I said last week, it sure does it make it easier.

Another one of her best friends posted on Facebook today (they seem to be good with their words or maybe I’m just lacking my own material) “Eight months ago we started counting Wednesdays. Then the weeks turned to months, and we started counting those instead. Today’s the first Wednesday the 8th since June, and I can honestly say that I love you and miss you just as much today as I did those first couple of weeks, if not more.”This pretty much sums up my feelings today, on the 8 month anniversary of her death. It still hurts. It still sucks. I still wake up every day wishing I could text or call her. I still miss her beautiful smile and her contagious laugh. I would give anything just to hear her say “I love you, Iss” one more time. But I am so proud of what is happening in her honor and I know she is too. I know she’s up there making it all happen so we can help other people. I know this is exactly what she would want her legacy to be, and I am honored to be a part of it, no matter how small or big.

We are very excited about how the generous donation from Mark Cuban will help the 1 Million 4 Anna Foundation start making a difference in the lives of those dealing with Ewing’s Sarcoma. If you would also like to make a donation, checks can be made to the 1 Million 4 Anna Foundation and sent to Firehouse at 14860 Landmark Blvd., Dallas, TX 75254.

Thank you so much for your support and generosity. We appreciate donations of any size – we did get to 1 million prayers one prayer at a time!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Mark Cuban gave us $75,000!!!!!

As avid followers of the Mavericks, we know that occasionally Mr. Cuban receives NBA fines for disagreements with referees.  When fined, he has a standing promise to match the monetary amount by gifting to a charity.  Last Wednesday, during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, one of these disagreements occurred leaving Mr. Cuban in search of a charitable organization. Due to Mark Cuban’s overwhelming generosity, we are able to make a $75,000 difference in the lives of those fighting Ewing’s Sarcoma.  This gift allows us to continue our mission to eradicate this insidious disease.  As many of you know, Anna was the Dallas Maverick’s biggest fan.  It seems perfect that her foundation truly begins with Mark Cuban’s help.  We thank you all.

- Hailey Drescher

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Yesterday, the parents of the JPII Basketball teams sponsored “Cancer Awareness Night” benefitting our brand new foundation. The evening included a free throw contest, cupcakes, and lots of purple!

Thank you to the generous JPII families and friends – and the caring community of our opponent, Prestonwood Christian Academy, who also supported us. The spirit in the air was special, the prayers were touching and the games were fun!

See the pictures below!

On Tuesday, January 24^th, the Varsity Girls and Boys Basketball teams at John Paul II High School will be hosting a fundraising night benefitting the 1 Million 4 Anna Foundation.

Come participate in the shooting challenge at half time of both Varsity games and show your support by wearing purple as the Cardinals take on the Prestonwood Lions.

The Girl’s basketball team plays at 6:30 PM, followed by the Boys’s basketball team at 8:00 PM at John Paul II High School. The school is located at 900 Coit Road, Plano, TX 75075.

Good morning sweet family and friends -

Yesterday we received official IRS 501 (c) (3) non-profit approval for our foundation, the “1 Million 4 Anna Foundation.” We’ve been quietly working on this since August and have our framework in place.  Our inspiration – our beautiful daughter, Anna, of course.

Beginning TODAY — here’s our mission – - we plan to wrap our arms around Ewing’s families.  We will support them and pray for them.  If the parents have a need or the child has a special wish, we will be there to help.  Tomorrow, when that Ewing’s warrior has completed their battle and is ready for the future – we will be there when that future includes college – with scholarship opportunities.  And every day – we will be aware and learn about Ewing’s research being conducted – and our foundation will support promising research, with the guidance of our medical advisory team.

We will finish the fight Anna started – and we won’t stop until Ewing’s Sarcoma is gone.

I am very humbled by the group of friends who have joined us in this endeavor.  Stay tuned for more (Website coming soon).

“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4: 17-18

Today, November 1st, the Chick-Fil-A at 6408 Plano Parkway in Plano will be hosting a benefit for the Micaela White Fund. Come to Chick-Fil-A from 2:45 – 9:00 PM. When you order in restaurant or in the drive-thru, give your receipt to the cashier and tell them it’s for Micaela. Please pass along to your friends and family!

Team “1 Million 4 Anna” will be participating in the Ultimate Hike, benefiting CureSearch for Children’s Cancer to take place on November 19, 2011. The money raised will fund and support collaborative research to find a cure for all cancers affecting children. Please join the “1 Million 4 Anna” team by registering as an individual or making a donation to CureSearch for Children’s Cancer on the team’s behalf. Together, we will reach the day when every child with cancer is guaranteed a cure.

For more information, please click here.

Team: Float On

Some of us get to know people who are able to change millions of lives. For myself, and the communities of John Paul II High School and Prince of Peace Catholic School, that person was Anna Basso.

On her website, people from around the world have pledged to devote their thoughts and prayers. Though she has passed on, her spirit, vitality, and vigor lives on through all those who have heard her story.

To honor Anna, we have formed Team Float On; a personal mantra of Anna’s. Float On, in essence, is a reminder for all of us to push through adversity, keep life in perspective, and help others along the way. It is through this run that we hope to do just that.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 for Children’s Medical Center to reflect the 1 million strong for Anna. Through your generous contributions, we can fight diseases such as cancer. It is up to us to decide our future.

If you would like to make a donation to our team, please select the “Make a Gift!” button on either this team page. Or, if you would like to sponsor a particular runner on the team, you can donate under one of the personal pages of the team members listed below. Either way, your donation helps the team reach our goal, and 100% of your contribution goes directly to Children’s Medical Center.

Whether you are running with us, volunteering with the event, or making a donation, know that your generosity will truly help many lives.

Sincerely,
Andrew Pinkowitz

For more information, please click here.