Ten years ago, Burke P. Bear of The Boyds Collection began a United States and world tour to create an awareness of cystic fibrosis

(CF) and to raise funds for CF research. The Travelling Teddy was named in memory of my son, Burke P. Derr, who died due to CF in June, 1997. The tour was the brainchild of Massachusetts retailer Barry Thompson and it was initiated by Pennsylvania Cystic Fibrosis, Inc. (PACFI), an independent, nonprofit, all volunteer organisation that provides support and services for individuals and families affected by CF and raises funds for CF research. The tour is part of PACFI’s ‘Million Dollar Bear’ that features Burke P. Bear’s world tour.

In the past ten years, Burke P. Bear has toured 40 states, two Canadian provinces, and 17 world countries in raising almost $400,000 for CF research. Equally

important is that he has touched the hearts and minds of thousands around the world.

Burke was hosted in the United Kingdom in 1998 by Louisa Bell and his exploits appeared in the magazine, Teddy Bear Times. Burke sampled British food and hospitality and wound up securing a bank account with Lloyd’s of London in case he received any donations for his campaign.

His return to the United States found him being honoured by the Pennsylvania legislature that titled him the ‘Pennsylvania Ambassador for Love, Peace, Having Fun, and Curing Cystic Fibrosis’ through House Resolution 198 passed in July, 1999. A Texas journalist later shortened his title to ‘Ambassador of Love.’ Other accolades include a Certificate of Merit from the U.S. Congress; recognition from the Massachusetts State

Burke P. Bear: Globe-Trotting Ambassador Of Love

Bears that care

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Tireless is his quest to spread love

and raise awareness

of cystic fi brosis,

Burke P. Bear

is a Very Important Bear on a

mission, as Bob Derr

reports

Senate; and an Israeli peace activist named him the ‘Honorary Ambassador for Building Bridges of Love’ between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

One of Burke’s most endearing friendships has been with Cystic Fibrosis Worldwide (CFW), an international organisation emphasising the need for awareness and better treatments among its 60 member countries. While PACFI uses their Burke funds for CF research, CFW uses their proceeds from Burke P. Bear sales to help

fund CF clinics in countries where CF care is minimal. Last year, The Boyds Collection released a special

10th anniversary edition of Burke P. Bear, and I published my book entitled Burke’s Tour that describes my son’s inspirational life, the story behind the creation of Burke P. Bear, and the many individuals, businesses, and organisations that are supporting the pathway to a cure for CF. Proceeds from book sales will go to CF research, and The Boyds Collection will again donate a percentage of total Burke P. Bear sales to PACFI’s research efforts. The book can be ordered through Borders, Barnes & Noble, Amazon or through a link to the PACFI website at www.pacfi.org. Signed copies can be ordered by emailing me at bobderr@ptd.net.

Our Burke dreamed of helping others and finding a cure for CF, and I know he’d want to emphasise Burke P. Bear’s ambassador message: To love each other, to live peacefully, to have fun, and to find a cure for CF and other diseases. It’s all in a day’s work for the Ambassador of Love, and with more than 140 countries remaining to visit, he’ll be spreading his ambassador’s message for many years to come.

Images1. Burke P. Bear, the Travelling Teddy, happily balanced on a fence2. Burke with Nutsha from Tblisi, Georgia, formerly in the Soviet Union; funds from the

sale of Burke P. Bears helped to build the Tblisi CF Clinic3. Burke P. Bear receives the VIB (Very Important Bear) treatment from the Emirates

Airlines staff during his visit to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates4. Best selling author Clive Cussler hosted Burke in Arizona; Burke is shown dictating

Cussler’s next novel5. Burke attended a concert with the famous country singer Charlie Daniels6. Burke had fun chugging with the patrons of The Irish Village in Dubai

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