Andrew McDonough, a 14-year-old athlete and ‘A’ student from Wilmington, Delaware went from playing four soccer games on a Saturday to cardiac arrest and a diagnosis of leukemia and sepsis just 48 hours later.

Andrew’s blood type and the family’s motto was, and continues to be, “B+” or “Be Positive."  Andrew’s valiant journey over his 167 days in the hospital was chronicled in newspapers, television and on his websites (www.BePositive.org and www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewmcdonough.

There he and his family received visits from over 1.5 million "friends," who left messages of prayer, hope, consolation, and stories about their friend Andrew.  During Andrew’s hospitalization, he underwent 40-50 surgical procedures, endured four strokes, multiple hemorrhages, an aneurysm, meningitis, a loss of his eyesight, loss of most of his hearing, and several other challenges.  But he never lost his faith or spirit.

Andrew's story isn't just about how brave he was in the hospital.  In just 14 short years of life, Andrew changed the world in many positive ways.  Andrew's life and the way he lived it -- with a B+ attitude -- have somehow made an impact on hundreds of thousands of people.  Teenage boys are telling their friends and their parents that they love them.  Teens are asking their parents for more family time.  Kids are asking "What would Andrew do?" in tough situations.  Sports teams are chanting "Play like Andrew" - because they're emulating Andrew.

Andrew passed away on July 14, 2007.

Written by Joe McDonough