Local Freshman Battling Lymphoma Throws First Pitch; Looks Forward to High School

Andrew Fout, a 14-year-old incoming freshman at Deer Park High School, was chosen to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Spokane Indians baseball game on July 23 at Avista Stadium.

Fout, who is fighting lymphoma, was chosen by Molina, his health insurance provider, for the honor. According to his mother, Jolynn Fout, his case worker contacted her several months ago to inquire if Andrew would be interested in the first pitch honor, and he didn't turn down the opportunity.

Jolynn, a single mother of four boys and emergency room nurse, said that influenza hit them hard in January. While they all got better, Andrew began to develop a low grade fever at the end of the month. One night when she returned home from work, Andrew was running a 103 degree fever and his lymph nodes were swollen.

An emergency room visit resulted in a hospital admission. Andrew underwent many tests during his hospital stay before they found out his diagnosis. He is fighting Stage 3 ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) Positive Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form that, when not treated aggressively, can be terminal.

Jolynn said Andrew spends a week in the hospital every three weeks undergoing chemotherapy, some days with multiple treatments. He spent most of May in the hospital, including his 14th birthday, she said. The family is awaiting the latest scan results to see if Andrew is in remission. Andrew wanted to turn out for track last spring and said he is hopeful of joining the high school team this spring and the high school football team next fall.