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bucks-mvps-connect-with-team-at-discovery-world

Bucks MVPs Connect with Team at Discovery World

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MVP Event at Dave and Busters

Milwaukee Bucks

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Bucks MVPs Enjoy Boat Cruise Down Milwaukee River

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2015 Summer MVP Open Gym

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2015 MVP Membership Meeting

Originals.  Legends. Heroes. These terms describe the “Original Buck” and Indiana  University and Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame member Jon McGlocklin and original  voice of the Milwaukee Bucks and Basketball Hall of Fame broadcaster Eddie  Doucette for different reasons. They were part of the Milwaukee Bucks success  in the early years, including the memorable 1970-71 NBA Championship season,  but have also contributed essential leadership and commitment that led to the formation  and evolution of the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer).

After  Doucette’s son, Brett, was diagnosed with leukemia in 1975. Doucette developed  relationships with several members of the medical staff at Milwaukee Children’s  Hospital and learned that one of the biggest challenges in combatting childhood  cancer locally was a lack of funding. The National Leukemia Society contacted  Eddie, knowing his connection to Bucks and son’s battle and Doucette asked  doctors if this would help Children’s fundraising efforts. “They told me for  every $1 the Society raised, only a small percentage would get back to  Milwaukee.” Doucette explains a meeting with Dr. Donald Pinkel, the first  director and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Dr. Jim Casper,  of today’s Medical College of Wisconsin’s Midwest Children’s Cancer Center, after  which it was evident that, “we needed a Wisconsin charity to help Wisconsin.” The  day after his conversation with Drs. Pinkel and Casper, Doucette ran into  McGlocklin in the Bucks office, and when he explained the need for local  support of children’s cancer research and treatment, McGlocklin replied, “Let’s  do it!”

After  some planning, the idea for the MACC Fund was created and on Dec. 10, 1976, founded  during McGlocklin’s halftime retirement ceremony. “People don’t know where the  name came from – it’s the “MACC Fund” in honor of “Jonny Mac” and his  leadership,” says Doucette. In fact, the acronym originally stood for Milwaukee Athletes Against Childhood  Cancer. “We had no idea how this thing would take off” McGlocklin says. Because  it grew so rapidly and significantly, the name changed to Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer. “The outpouring has been  staggering,” Doucette adds.

The  inaugural MACC Fund game was held in 1977, thanks to the efforts of McGlocklin  and Doucette, as well as backing from Jim Fitzgerald, Bucks owner at the time. Doucette  speaks highly of Fitzgerald in the formation of the MACC Fund: “Jim was  incredible in his friendship and support.” Without loyalty and collaboration  from Fitzgerald and other Bucks staff including Executive Vice President John F.  Steinmiller, over the years, “this would not be possible,” says Doucette. “The  association with the Milwaukee Bucks has been the single most important factor  in a connection to the community.”

McGlocklin  shares that sentiment: “Without the Bucks, there is no MACC Fund. Without the MACC  Fund, we do not contribute $50 million to fight childhood cancer. Without that,  cure rates would not be so significantly affected. We had the forum – with the  game and media opportunities, starting with my retirement night – giving us  good exposure and recognition. It would have been IMPOSSIBLE if you went out and  tried to start a charity without [that kind of] limelight.”

Undoubtedly  the MACC Fund took off thanks in large part to the reputations of McGlocklin  and Doucette. It was, according to the men who started the cause, sustained  over the years because of the generosity of Bucks fans and people throughout  Milwaukee and Wisconsin. 

“People  took to this thing like you wouldn’t believe. This is a good example of the  indigenous support in the city of Milwaukee and state of Wisconsin regarding  something of theirs,” Doucette explains.

 “It’s people reaching people. What makes this  successful is THE PEOPLE,” adds McGlocklin.

Everyone  associated with the MACC Fund is proud to tout that, when the MACC Fund began  in 1976, the survival rate for childhood cancers and blood disorders was 20%. The  MACC Fund played an important role in raising the overall cure rate for  childhood cancer to 80%. “My hope is that we continue to do the things we’re  doing and some day that 80% might be at 100%,” says McGlocklin. “It’s not just the  cure rates [the MACC Fund helps]. It’s prevention, better protocols, better,  less invasive treatment.”

“This is a magnificent thing that’s happened  here in Wisconsin. Like everything else worthwhile, for the good of somebody  else, this thing has taken a life of its own,” says Doucette. “The doctors and  the nurses are the real superstars. These are people with gifts. They give of  their lives 24/7 to save lives. We owe so much in the way of thanks to the  community for their support, which has enabled this disease to be on the  decline – it’s not eradicated. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

That  is what the Milwaukee Bucks hope to help achieve through efforts like the MACC  Fund game, now in its 38th season, thanks to the new Bucks ownership group led  by Wes Edens and Marc Lasry continuing this tradition.

“This  is a great example of what is good about pro sports and something worthy,” says  McGlocklin.
  Since  the first game in 1977, the Milwaukee Bucks have raised more than $1.4 million,  including a $100,000 contribution from Senator Herb Kohl and the Bucks on the  occasion of the MACC Fund’s 10th Anniversary, to support cancer and blood  disorder research in Wisconsin impacting the treatment of kids in the state,  nation and world.

You,  too, can be a hero. To contribute to the MACC Fund’s mission to end childhood  cancer, in cooperation with Bucks through the 38th annual MACC Fund Game (PDF Flyer)

Thank  you, fans, for your support of the Bucks and the MACC Fund!

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Without the Bucks, there is no MACC Fund

The annual MACC Fund Game is the  cornerstone of the Bucks’ 38-year founding commitment to Midwest Athletes  Against Childhood Cancer (MACC). Since the inaugural event in 1977, the annual  MACC Fund Game has raised more than $1.3 million to support cancer and blood  disorder research in Wisconsin impacting the treatment of kids in the state,  nation and world.

This  year’s festivities include a silent auction which will run pregame  (doors open to general public at 6:30 PM) through half time and feature autographed  items from young Buck Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks great Glenn “Big Dog”  Robinson and Bulls All-Star Derrick Rose, among others. All proceeds from the  auction benefit the MACC Fund. Families can also enjoy a pregame Super Hero  Kids Party with games, clowns and fun from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Families  wishing to attend the party need a valid game ticket and should access the  arena at the Potawatomi Gate (northeast arena entrance).

All fans  have an opportunity to help the cause by:

Bucks MVP  season ticket holders may donate their tickets for games they are not able to  attend to the MACC Fund all season long through MyBucks Online Account Manager.   Contact your Bucks Account Executive for more information.

Support  from these Bucks MACC Fund Games have helped the MACC Fund contribute over $50  million over the past nearly 38 years playing an important role in raising the  overall cure rate for childhood cancer and blood disorders from 20% to 80%. The  MACC Fund supports research in the MACC Fund Center at Children’s Hospital of  Wisconsin, at the Medical College of Wisconsin in the MACC Fund Research Center  and at the University of Wisconsin’s Carbone Cancer Center in the MACC Fund  Childhood Cancer Research Wing. The MACC Fund began in 1976 thanks to the  efforts of the “Original Milwaukee Buck” Jon McGlocklin and Bucks radio  announcer Eddie Doucette. Doucette’s 2-year old son, Brett, had recently been  diagnosed with leukemia and Jon set out to help his good friend’s son and other  children fight and win their battle with childhood cancer. Jon became president  of the MACC Fund and has been its face and heart and soul ever  since. Eddie remains active with the MACC Fund as its Honorary Vice  President, residing in California, where Brett, the MACC Fund's first success  story, also lives with his family.

Please visit www.maccfund.org for more information.

Thank  you, Bucks MVPs and all fans for your support of the Bucks and the MACC Fund!

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38th Annual MACC Fund Game

We’re born and bred Wisconsinites. I grew up in Brown Deer and Kurt from Sussex. We met our last year at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. After getting married we chose Germantown to reside in since it was 1/2 way between both families. We were married 10 years before Maggie came into our lives. You can imagine how excited we were when we found out that I was pregnant. She’s our one and only so we feel blessed.

In October of 2009, Maggie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Everyone’s story is a little different when they learn they have a child with cancer. Maggie just started First grade and had bumped her foot. We visited our family doctor a few times for her injury before she was diagnosed. Her foot was not healing and I mentioned that Maggie had been falling asleep quickly and her appetite hadn’t been very good.  The doctor ordered some blood work and the next day called my husband at work. She set up an appointment for us at the MACC Fund Center at Children’s Hospital for a second opinion. We drove to the hospital that afternoon. I remember sitting across Maggie’s hospital bed that evening and asking Kurt if this was how he thought we’d be spending our Friday night. She began hemotherapy Saturday morning.

Maggie responded well to treatment and now visits the MACC Fund Center at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for check-ups every 3 months. Though this part of her life was a small bump in the road she has always maintained a smile on her face and a positive outlook/attitude on life. Maggie is a 6th grader at Kennedy Middle School in Germantown where she likes Literacy, Math and Science. She enjoys cross country, a new sport she picked up this fall, swimming and art.

What’s important to us is family, friends and quality time. We like traveling, attending sporting events and activities throughout Wisconsin, watching movies and looking for good pizza places to visit.

The MACC Fund is dedicated to supporting the researchers who are committed in the fight to beat childhood cancer and blood disorders.

They are dedicated also to funding the Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and the UW Carbone Cancer Center. Because of the MACC Fund’s help Southeastern Wisconsin is able to have some of the top doctors, nurses and researchers available. We are truly lucky to have these facilities in our own backyard available to all when and if they are ever needed.

We love seeing and hearing about professional athletes, coaches and celebrities being a part of the MACC Fund. Some do it quietly and you don’t see them but those you do see you know are there because they want to be there not because they have to be there. What a great representation of that individual knowing that they want to help in the fight to beat childhood cancer and blood disorders. They’re able to reach many people and share their experiences and tell what the MACC Fund does.

There are many events an individual or family can participate in for the MACC Fund. Cheering on the Bucks at the Bucks MACC Fund Game, running in the Brewers Mini Marathon/10K, the Trek 100, visiting Candy Cane Lane or just recently Concert 4 MACC. There is something for all to enjoy! Maggie loved being part of the live introduction of the new MACC Fund logo at the Bucks MACC Fund Game last year and is thrilled to take part in this year’s game by presenting the game ball.

MVP