by Chime Tenzing

Dharamsala, October 8 - A longtime supporter of Tibet and member of Beastie Boys, Adam Yauch, said he is feeling “healthy, strong and hopeful” that he has beaten cancer he has been fighting against since the announcement of the disease he made in a video message in July.

In an email update to the Beastie Boys' official fan list, Yauch said, "I'm taking Tibetan medicine and at the recommendation of the Tibetan doctors I've been eating a vegan/organic diet."

Yauch underwent a surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his left parotid gland in late July. Last month, he traveled to Dharamsala where he was seen by Tibetan doctors. He was spotted at a teaching of His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the same trip.

A Buddhist and supporter of Tibetan cause, Yauch has lent his popularity to raise awareness about the Tibet issue. His groups’ upcoming album release "Hot Sauce Committee Part 1," and tour had been postponed for his treatment. The new release date for the album is to be decided later.

Adam Yauch co-founded the Tibetan Freedom Concert which has helped bring worldwide awareness to the Tibetans situation through the help of music. Compiling some of the most talented and influential artists around the world, the Tibetan Freedom Concert had been participated by U2, REM, The Smashing Pumpkins, Patti Smith, Alanis Morissette, Pearl Jam, Blur, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Lee Hooker, Sonic Youth, Porno For Pyros, among many others.

The Beastie Boys got their start in the 1970s as a punk rock band, but made a move to rap in the late 1980s becoming the world's first successful white rap band.