Friends,

Dr. Burton Paul, son and grandsons before his passing in October 2007

This coming spring, my son, Harrison Paul, will be called to the Torah for his Bar Mitzvah. As part of his preparation, Harrison has been asked to undertake a “Mitzvah” Project” that will assist others as he approaches his individual milestone.

I am very proud to report that Harrison has elected to honor his grandfather, my father, Burton Paul, through a project that Harrison is calling “Baskets For Burt.” This coming December, Harrison will be shooting 500 foul shots over a 2 day period and is seeking sponsors for each shot that he makes. All the money that is raised from the Baskets For Burt Project will go to the Amyloidosis Research Programs at Boston University Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

As you will read in the letter below from Harrison, Amyloidosis is a devastating and deadly disease that over time destroys the organs and lives of those who are afflicted by it. My father was diagnosed with Amyloidosis in May 1998, just 2 months after Harrison was born. While my father had only visited Harrison one time prior to the diagnosis, I will never forget that Harrison and Dad seemed to form a uniquely strong bond from the outset. A bond that Dad was determined to grow.

When he was first diagnosed, my Dad was told that he had just 6 months to live. That, however, was not a fate that my father was willing to accept. I remember him often talking about his need to beat the disease so that he could get to know Harrison. Thanks to the combination of my father’s courage and the dedicated and brilliant researchers at Boston University Medical School and later Brigham and Women's Hospital, my father defied the odds and lived for another 9 ˝ years enabling him to form a special and extremely close relationship with Harrison that Harrison carries with him each and every day. Now as Harrison approaches the cusp of young manhood, I am filled with pride by his desire to help the outstanding teams at Boston University Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital continue their battle so that other families can enjoy some of the precious moments that we were fortunate enough to enjoy long after Dad’s initial devastating diagnosis.

Set forth below is a letter from Harrison describing his Mitzvah Project along with a pledge form that you can fill out if you are interested in supporting his efforts. I should warn you that Harrison CAN shoot so be careful about how much you pledge for each basket. Any donation from a dime to a dollar per basket will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support. We look forward to keeping you updated as Harrison moves forward with “Baskets For Burt.”

All the best,
Jordan Paul

A LETTER FROM HARRISON

As I begin to enter manhood, I realize how harsh and cold the world can sometimes be and losing my Grandfather to Amyloidosis when I was 9 was one example of this. But it is important that we take the precious and beautiful on with us so we can overcome the darkest of times.

Knowing that my Grandpa Burt could have died at any moment from Amyloidosis could cause someone to lose hope and faith, but thankfully, because of the great work done by the Amylodosis Research and Treatment teams at Boston University Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, me and my family were able to keep on moving forward with my Grandpa and make our bond even stronger for many years even after he was diagnosed with the disease.

I still carry a bond as strong as ever with my grandfather every day as he guides me through the peaks and valleys of life. Understanding that I was given a gift from God and Boston University Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital by having so many years to strengthen our relationship I would like to help give this gift to other families affected by Amyloidosis . I’d like to help give them the chance to learn to love and value one another, but I need your help to do this.

To begin, let me give you some background information on Amyloidosis. The disease is caused by a buildup of amyloid proteins in an organ or tissue causing it to block the functions of that specific body part. Burt had AL Amyloidosis, the most common kind of the disease; sadly the organ afflicted by the disease was his heart. But nothing could interfere with his courage and extreme bravery.

To contribute to this noble cause I would like to combine my extreme love of basketball and my grandfather by participating in “Baskets for Burt”. This winter break, I will be shooting 500 foul shots as a “Mitzvah Project” for my upcoming Bar Mitzvah in honor of my Grandpa Burt. Please feel free to donate as much as you’d like for every shot I make.

I will do my best to help find a cure for Amyloidosis.

Thank you.
Harrison Paul

News Articles about Baskets For Burt

Wellington Landings student shoots free throws for charity (Palm Beach Post story)