Happy Birthday Andrew!!!

September 3, 1992 was one of the happiest days of my life. Our family was complete with the birth of Andrew John McDonough in Montclair, NJ. He was an incredibly beautiful and very chubby baby. I remember it like yesterday, when I brought Ali to the hospital to see her brother for the very first time. Not even 2 years old, Ali held her brother so carefully and with such love. Ali was so protective of her brother, then and throughout his life…and still to this day. What more could Chris and I ask for than to have children who love each other so unconditionally, who saw each as the protector of the other, and who were actually, truly best friends.

We celebrated 14 wonderful birthdays with Andrew, from his first when that cake in front of him and all the attention didn’t all make sense to him, to the dunk tank in the driveway, to the party with the live chimpanzees. The last 13, though, have been more observances than celebrations. Among the many things I wonder about Heaven, I would love to think that my boy is celebrating his birthday up there with my parents and a lot of other special friends and relatives.

If you will indulge me, please honor my son’s amazing life and legacy today on his 27th birthday. You choose what’s right for you. Do something nice for someone today, tell your family how much you love them (Andrew did that a lot), say a prayer for kids with cancer, or donate to Andrew’s Foundation so that we can help more families.

Today, we have a campaign called “27KInADay” in hopes of raising $27,000 in honor of Andrew’s 27th birthday. If you are so inclined, please visit this link …and share it.

Today, even more than usual, please Live Like Andrew.

Happy birthday buddy. We love you and miss you SO much!

Dad, Mom & Ali