Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (A.L.L.) is a fast-growing cancer of the white blood cells.

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that the body uses to fight infections.

In ALL, the bone marrow makes lots of unformed cells called blasts that normally would develop into lymphocytes.

However, the blasts are abnormal. They do not develop and cannot fight infections. The number of abnormal cells (or leukemia cells) grows quickly. They crowd out the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets the body needs.

from Andrew's page

Andrew Dempsey is the younger brother of Father Ryan senior D Dempsey.

During his freshman year at Ryan, Andrew played football and wrestled. His family moved out of state last summer; however the family has travelled back to Nashville often to see their older son as he completes his senior year at Ryan.

On November 29, Andrew was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and now is at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. He has started a chemotherapy protocol and is on his way to beating this cancer.