I am posting this as a tribute to a DGD, along with a request for prayers. My fraternity brother and friend passed Andy Lipman passed away Friday night at the way too young age of 51.
Andy was a graduate of The University of Georgia and an Alumni Board Member of The Terry College of Business. Like all of us, he loved UGA and all the teams that sport the red and black.
Andy gave new meaning to the phrase “great guy,” as not a soul with whom he crossed paths had anything but the most positive things to say about him. Now onto the truly uncommon stuff.
Andy was born with cystic fibrosis, a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. At birth, the doctors told Andy’s parents that he would be lucky to make it to his 25th birthday. Yet every day of his life, Andy stared down that prognosis and lived his life in a manner that said “F*ck you” to the dreaded disease, fighting daily to keep CF from getting the upper hand.
Heroically, Andy did not merely channel all his energy to his own fight. He worked tirelessly to raise awareness for CF and advocate on behalf of those inflicted with CF around the world.
Specifically, Andy wrote 5 books all centered around his fight against CF. He also led efforts which raised almost $5 million for research for CF, centered around an annual softball tournament named for Wendy Lipman. Wendy was the sister he never got to meet, as she died from CF before Andy was born, having lived just 15 days.
These inspiring endeavors significantly moved the needle in the quest to raise awareness and funds for research to combat CF worldwide.
Andy’s collective relentless efforts landed him on The Today Show in 2019; an opportunity he used to share his platform and story, further raising awareness for CF. These efforts also garnered Andy the honor of running a leg in the Olympic torch relay prior to the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games. Naturally, his leg was in Athens!
It is not a stretch to say that Andy was literally a hero to those in the CF community around the world.
In a somewhat cruel twist of irony, it was not cystic fibrosis that got Andy, but rather an unrelated medical event. Those of us who loved him take tremendous pride at the undeniable fact that cystic fibrosis in-fact DID NOT win. Yet we simultaneously find ourselves stunned that as hard as he fought CF, something unrelated has taken him from us far too young.
Most importantly, Andy was a tremendous father to his 2 beautiful children, a devoted son to his father who had recently fallen ill himself, and a loving husband to his loyal and amazing wife.
As if Andy had not already made his mark on the world, in one final act to further his impact, several of Andy’s organs were successfully donated just after his passing. As was the case during his life, as he left the world, Andy continued to positively impact others.
This final selfless act of kindness and generosity will literally enable others to live. Whomever gets his heart is getting the heart of a champion and a true warrior.
My wife and I had the tremendous honor of being present at the organ donor “Honor Walk” Friday at Piedmont just before Andy peacefully passed. Unfortunately, that is the 2nd honor walk for a fraternity brother for which we have been present for in the last 13 months, as we lost another in December 2023. I posted a tribute on the vent for him as well, as he had also selflessly donated his organs.
In the great words of Vince Gill: Go rest high on that mountain…Andy, your work on earth is done! And man, did you get a lot done in your 51 years.
You are a true warrior and hero, having inspired more people than anyone I have ever known. The epitome of a Damn Good Dawg!
Please pray for Andy and his friends and family, and those inflicted with CF everywhere.
