The statement I am about to make is not an easy one. As some of you may know I was hospitalized last Friday, upon receiving unsettling results to blood work taken by my doctor in New York City. I had visited him after canceling a show in New Jersey due to frequent and uncommon voice problems I was having on a recent tour with my new project, Jacks Mannequin. He decided upon seeing me that my pale complexion warranted some tests to be taken. A decision, which in retrospect, marks a substantial shift in the course of my life. I was admitted on Friday and spent the following days awaiting results of a bone marrow sample taken from my hip. This Wednesday my doctors officially diagnosed me with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia, otherwise known as (ALL). I know this news will be met with both shock and concern and want you all to be aware that this disease, though difficult, is highly treatable and completely cured in most cases. I feel extremely strong in spirit and I am ready to meet this head on and beat it. I am a natural born fighter with an immense amount of love and positive energy inside me. I am not only confident but I am certain I will come out of this a stronger human being with a greater understanding of life and my place in the world. Even as my words reach this page I feel the strength of my family, friends and those who will read this inspiring me as I make my way home to Los Angeles to undergo treatment. Rest assured the doctors we have assembled are the best in their field. My care will be both personal and on the cutting edge of Leukemia research. As for the release of the new Jacks Mannequin record, "Everything in Transit", my label has honored my wishes to hold to our intended august 9th release date. I believe music to be the greatest natural healer and it is important for me to share this collection of songs with you all as I embark on this unpredictable voyage. You are all in my heart. Be well and I will see you soon.
In lieu of flowers or gifts please make your way to your local blood banks, or send contributions to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation at 9272 Jeronimo rd. suite 107A, Irvine CA 92618. For more information go to www.pcrf-kids.com
good luck... and get well soon we're all praying for you
Posted by: maggie | June 06, 2005 at 01:48 PM
Get well soon Andrew!!
this was very upsetting to hear before..
but to know you are positive means everything.
you are in my thoughts
Posted by: Erin | June 06, 2005 at 01:49 PM
You're amazing.
We're all thinking about you
Get well soon
Posted by: Tera | June 06, 2005 at 01:51 PM
Andrew, get well soon. i know you will, you're a fighter! I'll keep praying for you!
<3 Rach
Posted by: Rachel | June 06, 2005 at 01:55 PM
Andrew,
I think "cancer" is the scariest word in the english language, but you sound so brave. You amaze and inspire me with your hopeful attitude. I wish you double the strength you already possess, and a fast & full recovery. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
--Alyssa
Posted by: Alyssa | June 06, 2005 at 01:55 PM
Andrew, we love you so much. You truly are an amazing person. Your personality brightens anyone's day. I'll never forget the night I first met you - since that night, I've held to my opinion that you are one of the kindest people I've ever met in my life. I'm lucky to have shared past experiences with you, but I'm hoping and praying that I'll have many more in the future. I wish you a fast recovery, Andrew. We love you. -Sara
Posted by: Sara | June 06, 2005 at 01:57 PM
you're in my prayers...hope you feel better!
Posted by: adam | June 06, 2005 at 01:58 PM
hey andrew!!
I was so sorry to hear that you were in the hospital. I really hope you get better, and SOON!!! We are all praying for you and hoping you will and be fully cured. We ALL LOVE YOU!!!!!
Get and feel better!
love always,
melody
Posted by: Melody | June 06, 2005 at 01:59 PM
Andrew,
The fact that you are so strong and positive while the people who care about you are I'm sure falling apart speaks to what kind of person you are. You are by far THE most amazing person I have ever met, in so many respects, and I have no doubt that you have the strength to overcome anything. You are my inspiration to always stay positive. I'll be thinking about you every day and you are most certainly in my heart as well. I love you!
See you soon.
<3
--Kris
Posted by: Kristen | June 06, 2005 at 01:59 PM
Andrew-
You are an amazing individual and I know you will come out of this on top. I hope you have a speedy recovery and am glad that you are back home!
Posted by: Amanda | June 06, 2005 at 02:00 PM
Stay positive and strong as you have been! You'll get through this and all of us will be here supporting you, knowing you'll make it! No doubt you've seen the out-pour of support for you on this blog and through "The Messengers." Don't let this get you, continue to fight!
Posted by: Thister | June 06, 2005 at 02:02 PM
Andrew, you are an inspriation to all of us here. I can't wait to buy the new album to show my support. Even though I probably won't be seeing you at Warped this fall, I will undoubtedly be thinking of you while I'm there. Get well soon!
Cheers,
Patrick from Raleigh, NC
Posted by: Patrick | June 06, 2005 at 02:03 PM
Andrew, you are amazing and this just proves your strength. We are all with you, "let's show them how to live, accept the pain, always forgive" you rock in more ways than i can name......GOOD LUCK...peace
Posted by: Caleb | June 06, 2005 at 02:06 PM
Andrew,
You are an AMAZING person and we all know you can fight this. I am sorry this had to happen to you of all people but you are in everyones prayers. I hope you have a quick recovery and remember we all are wishing for you at 11:11.
Love,
Courtney
Posted by: Courtney | June 06, 2005 at 02:06 PM
andrew,
your positivity and optimism bring tears to my eyes. . . in my post that i had posted somewhere under your last entry, i mentioned that i'd dealt with multiple forms of cancer in the last few years and only one of those people, other than you, met the news of the disease so positively with such an unrelenting will to fight, and he's still fighting to this day. . . so i hope with all my heart and will pray for you every day that you've caught it in time and the top-notch team of doctors will aid you in a speedy and complete recovery.
we all know the uncertainty of this disease and we're all wishing for the best. your positivity makes me cry and if i weren't so far away i would give you the biggest longest hug ever. as if you hadn't enough already, you inspire me to no end. you're in my thoughts and as i said in my previous post. . . when it gets to be too much to bear, find strength in those that love you, both far and near. rely on your family and friends who are by your side and find hope in their love and devotion. i wish you nothing but the best and hope to see you well soon. take care and get well!
we'll see you soon ;)
-kristine . . . yeah, from maine.
Posted by: kristine | June 06, 2005 at 02:09 PM
Andrew-
Words cannot express my sorrow and sympathy for you as you battle Leukemia. I truly admire and respect you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I love you so much.
-Molly.
Posted by: Molly | June 06, 2005 at 02:10 PM
Andrew,
I was completely shocked when I heard the news a few days ago. You and your music has given me so much, I am donating what I can to leukemia research, it's the least I can do to try to give something back to you. You sound like you have a very good attitude about all of this, Keep positive but I suppose I don't need to tell that to a man with "Be Positive" inked into his arm :) I wish you a speedy recovery, you're in my prayers. Get well soon!
Posted by: Kristen | June 06, 2005 at 02:14 PM
we love you andrew
you'll be okay
xoxoxox
Posted by: Jodi | June 06, 2005 at 02:14 PM
Andrew,
I am so glad you updated. I really wanted to hear it from you. You never cease to amaze me Andrew. The fact that you can stay so strong and positive during a time like this just proves what an incredible person you are. I'm so glad you're still releasing the JM CD in August. I am so excited for it. I'm sorry I didn't get to see you in Maryland, but hey, there is always next time and you can count on me being there! In the meantime, just take it easy and focus on yourself for once! See you soon =)
Posted by: Helen | June 06, 2005 at 02:15 PM
andrew!!!!!
feel better kiddo, we're all rooting for you!!!!
<3 anne
Posted by: Anne | June 06, 2005 at 02:15 PM
Andrew,
As I have said like, a million times (well, at least five or six), you are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Actually, probably every five minutes at least ;) I've been worrying about you all weekend and i cried multiple times on Friday when I first heard of your situatuon. I think you are completely right in saying music is the greatest natural healer. I know YOUR music has been the greatest healer for numerous people, including myself, especially this weekend. You are an amazingly inspirational and magnificent man and I know you'll get through this and be better than ever! Take care of yourself:)
I love you!
<3 Jennifer
PS. I put your name in the book of prayers at my church so you have tons of people who dont even know you praying for you now :)
Posted by: Jennifer | June 06, 2005 at 02:17 PM
I'm with you in spirit. No one deserves recovery more than you.
Posted by: Megan | June 06, 2005 at 02:17 PM
Andrew, you are so brave. I'm putting your name on the prayer roll in the Snowflake, AZ Temple. You will beat the hell out of this. There's not a doubt in my mind. You're one of the strongest people on the planet and you have the love and support of so many people behind you. You'll come out of this quickly and you'll be all the better for it. We all know you can do it. Can't wait to rock with you again - and we'll rock all the harder as soon as you get back out here! You have my (and everyone's) unending love and support. Kick this cancer's ass! ~ Amy - Snowflake, Arizona
Posted by: Amy | June 06, 2005 at 02:17 PM
you inspire me so much and there are no word to express how wonderful i think you are. you are such a strong person and your positivity and honesty in this entry made me cry. ever since i found out that you had leukemia this last friday, you've been constantly in my thoughts and i hope every day that you are on a fast road to recovery. your music has been such a comfort to me...just listening to your voice makes me feel like everything is going to be ok. i love you!!
Posted by: Jessica | June 06, 2005 at 02:18 PM
andrew, i cant tell you how much your strength inspires me. always remember you are in my thoughts and prayers. keep fighting and stay strong.. :)
<33 kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen | June 06, 2005 at 02:22 PM