Andy Hoffman Updates

Thank you for visiting the medical update page for Andy Hoffman, Co-Founder of the Team Jack Foundation. Andy was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in late July 2020. On March 1, 2021 he passed away surrounded by his family. To make a memorial donation in honor of Andy, click the button below.
Update 11: March 3, 2021
ANDREW’S OBITUARY

Andy and Brianna (Stiner) Hoffman were married on August 21, 1999. They lived in Brookings, SD and then Viborg, SD while completing their college degrees. After graduation they moved to Atkinson, NE and Andy began his career as an attorney. He worked in O’Neill at Strope, Krotter, and Gotschall as well as Krotter Hoffman, before branching out on his own and starting his solo law practice, Andrew Hoffman Law. It was Andy’s dream to be an entrepreneur like his parents and include his children in the family business. Andy loved serving his clients and had developed a vast general practice focused on estate and business planning, with offices in Atkinson, O’Neill, and Central City, NE.
Andy and Bri were blessed with three children, Jack, Ava, and Reese. They were the light of his life and Andy enjoyed every aspect of being a father. He loved attending their school and sporting events and many weekends were spent at the lake, with family, or attending Cornhusker football games.
After their son Jack was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer at age 5, Andy and his family established the “Team Jack Foundation” to raise money and awareness to fight the disease. Andy’s love and passion for helping these kids was unmatched. He traveled the United States spreading the critical message about the need for increased funding for child brain cancer research. From a meeting with President Barack Obama in the White House Oval Office to numerous National media appearances with the likes of Fox News, CNN, ESPN, ABC World News, and Good Morning America, Andy provided leadership in the fight. He has led the Foundation in raising over $8.4 million to fund research.
Andy was an outdoor enthusiast. He enjoyed walleye fishing, hunting, camping, and fixing fence on the family ranch. From the 30 inch walleye in his basement, to his most recent whitetail hunt on his iPhone, Andy loved sharing outdoor photos and stories with family and friends. He was able to go on a bucket-list elk hunt in Chama, New Mexico in October with his family and brothers and was elated to watch both Jack and Ava drop their elk. Andy was also an avid runner. His races included the Boston Marathon (April 2014), the Los Angeles Marathon (March 2015 and March 2020), the Chicago Marathon (October 2015), and the Minneapolis Marathon (2016 and 2017).
Andy was loved by many and his smile and infectious laugh could light up any room. He is survived by his wife Brianna, children Jack, Ava and Reese, parents Gary and Karen Hoffman of Spencer, brothers Tony (Amy) Hoffman of Crofton and Michael (Jacky) Hoffman of Spencer, sister Julia (Chris) Jones of Tellico Plains, TN, parents-in-law Kerry and Bonnie Stiner of Burke, SD, sister-in-law Tiffany (Nate) Miller of Sioux Falls, SD, brother-in-law Kollin (Sarah) Stiner of Lakeville, MN, nephews Nathan Hoffman of Spencer, Hudson and Hayden Hoffman of Spencer, Luke Jones of Cleveland, OH, Matt and Nate Jones of Clarksburg, MD, Noah, Luke and Graham Miller of Sioux Falls, SD, and Karson Stiner of Lakeville, MN, nieces Alison (Justin) Wegenke of Fort Collins, CO, Samantha (Cody) Kahl of Grand Island, NE, Lauryn and Amelia Hoffman of Spencer, and Isabel and Nora Stiner of Lakeville, MN. He was also excited to be a Great Uncle to Will and Wren Wegenke and Alton Kahl.
He was preceded in death by his brother Luke Hoffman.
Memorials may be made to Team Jack Foundation.
Update 10: March 1, 2021

Update 9: February 20, 2021



Update 8: December 10, 2020
Update 7: December 2, 2020
This brain tumor is ornery. After another round of check-ups this thing showed us just how stubborn it can be. Just 5 weeks after interim treatment of two new spots, yesterday’s MRI revealed another new spot.
Thankfully, the new spot is in a place of no prior treatment so we can attack it again. So far, radiation has been effective against the previous tumors. The plan is to go home, celebrate Reese’s birthday tonight and go back to Mayo next Monday for 5 days of Radiation. I will also continue chemo.
There’s an outside concern for tumor presence in the spine. So, we are going to MRI the spine next week as well. Please pray for no tumors in the spine.
We continue to be thankful for all of the prayers and support for our family and the Foundation.
As a reminder ESPN and ESPN2 are going to be running the story “Twice the Fight” which will premiere on ESPN2 Friday night and will run through the 23rd of December. This is a half hour feature story about our family and the Foundation. Thanks for tuning in!
Thank you for the prayers.
Love,
Andy, Bri, Jack, Ava & Reese
Update 6: October 28, 2020
Andy began a short 5-day stint of radiation at Mayo on Monday after a negative Covid test. Currently, he has one radiation treatment left then hopes to head to New Mexico for the elk hunt. Today was an extra special day because the first shipment of his book Yards After Contact was picked up! We have already packaged books to be shipped to 25 states! To order a copy of the book visit, www.teamjackfoundation.org/yac.
Update 5: October 22, 2020
From Andy’s Facebook: Yesterday’s appointment at Mayo took the wind out of my sails. The MRI revealed that the two new tumors are growing out of control. This is causing increased difficulty with nausea and balance. Plan is to hammer them next week with radiation and then try to slip out to New Mexico for the elk hunt. Ava & Jack are sure excited to score a monster elk! This is Ava showing off some of her new gear. Thank you for the prayers.
Click here to listen to Andy’s radio interview with Scott Poese from KBRX, our local station.
Update 4: October 18, 2020
Update 3: October 1, 2020
Andy completed six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy in mid-September and since has been working on editing his book, Yards After Contact, and getting it to print. Yards After Contact is the inspiring story of Jack Hoffman who was diagnosed with brain cancer at age five. He stole the hearts of people across the country with “The Run,” a 69-yard touchdown during the 2013 Huskers’ spring game. All proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Team Jack Foundation and its mission to fund childhood brain cancer research.
Also, Andy retired from his law career to focus on spending time with his family and further his involvement in Team Jack.
Update 1: July 26, 2020
“We are going to fight.” – Andy Update July 26, 2020
On Sunday, July 19, Andy had what we believe to be a seizure while on a run in Atkinson, NE. A subsequent MRI revealed the unimaginable – – Andy has a large brain tumor.
After learning the MRI results, Andy was quickly referred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Unfortunately, the neurosurgery team at Mayo does not believe Andy’s tumor can be removed surgically. However, they were able to take a biopsy of the tumor on Thursday, July 23, and the Hoffman family is currently at Mayo waiting on pathology to determine Andy’s tumor type. Andy is in recovery and is scheduled to begin chemotherapy and radiation as soon as possible. Once Andy’s tumor type is confirmed, the Hoffmans will be working with the neuro-oncology team at Mayo to seek out any clinical trials or other therapies that might be available to aid in Andy’s fight.
The Hoffman family is very appreciative of all the prayers and support they have received from family and friends across the country. Andy and Bri are on the front lines of the battle right now and haven’t been able to respond to all the texts, calls, and emails they have received. They will respond as they are able, but are focused right now on Andy’s recovery and treatment.
To all the Hoffman’s prayer warriors: Keep the prayers coming! Please pray specifically for Andy’s recovery from the biopsy, for Andy’s tumor to be responsive to radiation and chemotherapy, for promising clinical trials to be available to enhance Andy’s treatment, and for strength and comfort for Bri, Jack, Ava and Reese
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2
Update 2: August 5, 2020
“Glioblastoma” – Andy Update August 4, 2020
Last week, the results of Andy’s biopsy confirmed what doctors had suspected from Andy’s very first MRI. Andy’s tumor is a glioblastoma multiforme (or GBM). GBMs are generally aggressive tumors that can be difficult to remove surgically because of the finger-like manner in which they spread throughout healthy brain tissue.
Following Andy’s GBM diagnosis, the Hoffman family remained in Rochester to await the results of further tumor analysis that would determine what genetic markers might be present in Andy’s tumor. Like other centers of excellence, Mayo Clinic analyzes the genetic make-up of tumors to determine the most effective types of radiation and chemotherapy that can be used to treat each patient. Andy and Bri are very familiar with the importance of these gene-specific therapies as, under their leadership, the Team Jack Foundation has funded numerous research projects and clinical trials aimed at improving gene-specific therapies to treat pediatric brain cancer.
Andy is scheduled to begin 6 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy at Mayo Clinic on Thursday, August 6. The Hoffmans were able to rent an apartment close to the Mayo campus where Andy will be undergoing radiation, and Andy and Bri intend to stay in Rochester for the duration of Andy’s radiation treatment. While Andy and Bri would love to be home in Atkinson during this time, the access to world-class radiation technology and Andy’s care team at Mayo make Rochester the best place for the Hoffmans to be during treatment.
One question that has come up often after Andy’s diagnosis is whether there is a genetic link between Jack’s brain tumor and Andy’s brain tumor. The short answer is “no.” Andy and Jack actually have two different types of brain tumors, and Andy’s physicians do not believe that Jack’s tumor was “inherited” or “passed down” through Andy’s genetics. As any parent might imagine, this was a huge relief to Andy.
The Hoffmans would like to thank all the family, friends, and even strangers who have offered their support and prayers during this time. With days full of appointments and consultations, it is difficult for the Hoffmans to respond to all the well wishes and offers of help they have received. Please know that the Hoffmans are grateful to each of you for your care and concern!
To the Hoffman’s prayer warriors: Please pray specifically for Andy’s tumor to be responsive to radiation and chemotherapy, for Andy’s physicians to be granted wisdom and good health to help find and implement the best therapies available to enhance Andy’s treatment, and for rest, peace and strength for Bri, Jack, Ava and Reese.
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25.
Five year-old Jack Hoffman was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011. As a result, his family started the Team Jack Foundation to raise funds for research that was so badly needed to develop better, kinder and more effective treatments. On Sunday July 19, 2020, after years of advocating for child brain cancer research and raising awareness for the disease, Team Jack’s co-founder, Andy Hoffman, learned he had a massive brain tumor.
Andy’s diagnosis was met with an incredible outpouring of support which led to the creation of this special officially collegiate licensed Husker t-shirt, ‘Twice the Fight’. The design and initial funding of the shirts was contributed by Mark & Karen Carson, co-founders of Fat Brain Toys and long-time Team Jack supporters. The Twice the Fight design is printed on a Gildan Soft Style 100% Cotton t-shirt.