Ella Ryan: Hope, Fight, Cure

Colgate University is honoring and sponsoring Ella Rae Ryan for a fundraising game on September 29, 2018.  We are touched that they chose her for the event.  Ella was diagnosed with A.L.L. (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) in March of 2018.  Since then, she has been receiving chemotherapy regularly.  This summer she had very intensive bouts of chemo.  She spent four weeks at Golisano Children's Hospital at the Upstate Cancer Center in Syracuse.  She would alternate between a week at the hospital and a week at home resting.  The first week started July 2nd, and the last week ended August 17th.  Ella has been responding nicely to the treatment.  Of course, there have been a few setbacks.  For instance, she is in the small percentage of children who will not eat during treatment, so she has to be fed through a tube (and has been since April).  Obviously, chemotherapy is incredibly hard on the body and she has to deal with the harsh side effects.  However, we continue to look forward to Ella hitting her numbers and beating this disease.  We have been blessed with good results so far and a support system that carries us through the many difficult days. However, with Ashley out of work, medical bills and trips to Syracuse, things pile up quickly, and take their toll. So thank you Colgate players and fans for your support of our baby girl and our family during this challenging time.  We appreciate it more than you know.