Fletcher Andrew Burns, affectionately known as “Andy,” passed away on June 19, 2025, at the age of 36, after a valiant fight against stage IV metastatic melanoma.
Andy Burns carved out his place in basketball history during his time at the University of Virginia, where he pursued one of his most cherished dreams – playing in the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, known to fans worldwide as March Madness.
His dedication to the sport and his team reflected the same determination that would later define his battle against cancer.
The pinnacle of Andy’s basketball career came on March 16, 2006, when he stepped onto the court during the first round of the NCAA tournament against Albany.
Though he played only the final minutes of the game, those moments carried profound significance.
Andy scored on a foul shot, achieving a dream he had harbored throughout his basketball journey. His father, Alex Burns, watched from the stands with tears in his eyes, witnessing his son realize one of his most important aspirations.
During his time at UVA, Andy practiced alongside Sean Singletary, who became the star of the 2006 basketball team.
Singletary recognized Andy’s talent and consistently advocated for him, regularly telling the coach to give Andy more playing time.
This recognition from a teammate who would go on to achieve basketball stardom spoke volumes about Andy’s skill and character on the court.
The relationships Andy built through basketball extended far beyond his playing days.
Years later, when Andy faced his greatest challenge, Sean Singletary reached out through social media, posting “Hang in there, Bro” on Andy’s GoFundMe webpage.
This gesture brought one of the last smiles to Andy’s face during his final battle, demonstrating how the bonds forged through sport can provide comfort even in life’s darkest moments.
Andy Burns’ Death Comes After a Relentless Battle With Stage IV Melanoma
In June 2024, Andy’s life took a dramatic turn when doctors diagnosed him with stage IV metastatic melanoma.
The news struck like lightning for Andy and his wife Laura, who were navigating the joys of early parenthood with their 18-month-old daughter, Caroline Jean “CJ,” while preparing to welcome their son, Peter James “PJ.”
At just 36 years old, Andy faced one of medicine’s most aggressive cancers at what should have been one of life’s most fulfilling periods.
The timing proved particularly cruel. Andy and Laura had been building their young family, embracing the challenges and rewards of parenthood.
The diagnosis transformed their world overnight, forcing them to confront an uncertain future while caring for a toddler and preparing for their second child’s arrival.
Andy approached his cancer battle with the same determination he had shown on the basketball court.
Over the course of nearly a year, he fought relentlessly against the disease, even as the odds mounted against him.
The cancer proved exceptionally aggressive, refusing to yield to conventional treatments.
The first line of treatment failed to contain the disease’s spread. After nine months of fighting, the second line of treatment also stopped working, leaving Andy and his medical team with increasingly limited options.
Despite these setbacks, Andy never surrendered hope, driven by his desire to recover and be present for his wife and children.
When standard treatments proved insufficient, Andy enrolled in a clinical trial featuring TIL (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte) therapy, a groundbreaking personalized immunotherapy specifically designed for melanoma patients.
This innovative treatment harnesses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer by isolating and amplifying T-cells from within the melanoma tumor, then re-infusing them back into the patient to target and eliminate cancer cells.
Andy received his TIL therapy on May 28, 2025, representing both hope for his recovery and a contribution to advancing medical research for future patients facing similar battles.
The weeks leading up to Andy’s death tested every ounce of his strength and resolve.
His father, Alex, described watching Andy endure “constant unimaginable pain” for two to three weeks, a period that showcased his incredible determination.
Despite excruciating suffering, Andy’s focus remained on recovery so he could return to his role as husband and father.
On May 27, 2025, Andy’s condition deteriorated rapidly. He crashed into a growing state of confusion that progressed to delirium before dropping into a deep state of unresponsiveness.
Complications arose from partial kidney failure and lower blood pressure, leading to inadequate blood flow to vital organs.
Medical staff placed him on a ventilator to assist his breathing as his body fought the cancer’s devastating effects.
The cancer had become the source of disruption to his vital organs’ functioning, creating a cascade of detrimental effects throughout his system.
Doctors explained that the degree to which the TIL therapy could eliminate the cancer would determine Andy’s level of recovery.
For a brief moment, there appeared to be hope when Andy began regaining the ability to breathe on his own without mechanical support, representing what might have been the first turnaround in his long, difficult battle.
However, despite the innovative treatment and Andy’s incredible fight, the cancer proved too aggressive.
On the morning of June 19, 2025, Andy lost his battle, leaving behind his wife Laura, two-year-old daughter Caroline, and 10-week-old son Peter.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Fletcher had a 10-week-old son named Peter James “PJ.”
- Fletcher’s cancer battle lasted nearly a full year from diagnosis to death.
