NDSU graduate Andrew Lynch says, ‘I will beat this’ to his leukemia

On Dec. 12, 2011, NDSU graduate Andrew Lynch was diagnosed with cancer. Previous to this, he had experienced flu-like symptoms and a sore lower back. Upon going to a walk-in clinic and learning that his white blood cell count was abnormal, he was directed to a hospital, where doctors ran him through several tests.

A benefit was held Sunday for Lynch at Fargo Teamsters. The benefit lasted from 3 to 8 p.m., during which three local bands performed: jazz group Funk-a-tize me Cap’n, roots group Amanda Standalone and the Pastry Shop Girls and indie group Shape then Shift.

The benefit included a spaghetti feed and a silent auction featuring over 150 items, such as Johnny Carino’s gift cards, NDSU apparel, an iPod, hand-knitted items and a Minnesota Wild autographed jersey amongst others. Funds will be matched by Dakota Medical Foundation Lend a Hand and Thrivent Lutheran.

Lynch, now 22 years old, graduated from NDSU last spring with a degree in electrical engineering. He was active with the Ham Radio Club, and he worked for the college of engineering and architecture’s help desk for three of his four years at NDSU. Andrew’s father, Rob Lynch, said that he was well known by all of his professors.

Andrew Lynch was also an active volunteer with the Salvation Army, and was awarded the 2011 Sarah Martinsen Outstanding Service Award from the NDSU Volunteer Network.

“When the doctor told him that he had leukemia [Andy] looked him just right in the eye and said ‘I will beat this,’” Rob Lynch said about his son’s attitude upon being diagnosed with cancer. Since then, the phrase of ‘I will beat this’ has become a sort of theme for his cause.

Lynch was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer. In order to combat this, Lynch’s doctors have prescribed an equally aggressive chemotherapy regimen.

According to Rob Lynch, Andrew must undergo four chemotherapy sessions total, and as of now he has completed three. Rob Lynch explained that during the chemotherapy, all of Andrew’s good and bad blood cells are killed and then his bone marrow must be given time to replenish the cells. He said that his son spends from three to four weeks at a time in the hospital for his treatments.

For more information about Andrew and donations, visit http://www. iwillbeatthis.com or http:// www.caringbridge.com/visit/andrewlynch.