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- Burke
P. Bear, a 14 inch bean bag teddy bear made by The Boyds Collection, was named after our son, Burke P. Derr. Burke was a spirited Pennsylvania teenager who was a teddy bear collector, computer whiz, honor student
and sports enthusiast who died due to Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in June of 1997. Burke
was voted “Most Spirited” by his 1996 high school graduating class.
- The
“Million Dollar Bear” campaign, formed in honor of Burke and in honor/memory of all people with CF, is designed
to create an awareness of CF among millions of people and to also raise millions of dollars for CF research projects. The campaign has already touched the hearts of millions of people and has raised over
$150,000 for CF research.
- “Burke’s
Tour, as a major part of the campaign, features Burke P. Bear traveling to each state, Canadian province, and world countries
through a series of hosts. Each host encourages donations and takes Burke to
visit hospitals, schools, and/or businesses. The traveling teddy has his own
line of “Burke’s Tour” clothing, and he has toured 35 states and 12 world countries. The Tour was initiated by Barry Thompson, a Massachusetts sponsor who is a PACFI member and Burke’s
Honorary Dad.
- Burke
P. Bear was proclaimed “The Pennsylvania Ambassador for Love, Peace, Having Fun, and Curing Cystic Fibrosis” through
a unanimous 199-0 vote by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in June, 1999. Burke
received a Certificate of Merit from the U.S. Congress, a citation from the Massachusetts State Senate, and Special Recognition
from the cities of Lubbock, Texas, and Auburn, Massachusetts. He was also appointed
“Honorary Ambassador for Building Bridges of Light” between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.
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