Ryan, a local to OC, is only 35 years old a hardworking Surveyor with Local 12 at one of California’s top surveying firms. He’s been striving toward his professional license and his dream of becoming chief one day. But more than anything, Ryan is a devoted dad to his 7-year-old daughter, Avery.

Just a few weeks ago, Ryan began experiencing severe migraines. He assumed it was from the long 8-hour days in the sun. But on Friday, 8/29, the pain became unbearable, and Ryan went to the ER. There, doctors discovered a lime-sized tumor in the front of his brain.

The very next day, surgeons urged him to undergo emergency surgery and warned that he might only have six months to live.

With the support of family and friends, he connected with Dr. Mitchel Berger at UCSF, one of the top brain surgeons in the country. Dr. Berger saw his MRIs and immediately wanted to operate. Within 3 days, Ryan bravely underwent an eight-hour craniotomy in San Francisco fully awake, giving him the best chance possible.

Now, Ryan faces the fight of his life. Brain cancer glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and devastating forms of cancer, known for its high chance of returning even after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The road ahead is long, uncertain, and incredibly challenging.

Ryan will begin 6 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation together starting October. Chemo will be 1 year from December.

But to truly give him the best chance at keeping this cancer from coming back, he also needs access to additional therapy programs aimed at preventing glioblastoma recurrence, a rarity with these tumors. Unfortunately, these programs are not covered by insurance because they’re outside “Stupp protocol”

Ryan has already begun pursuing additional treatments beyond standard care. These include tumor treating fields therapy using Optune, as well as immunotherapy approaches that are not FDA-approved or covered like Keytruda, which is why all of this must be paid for out of pocket.

We understand this is all very expensive. After researching glioblastoma and speaking with others in similar situations, we’ve learned that many families are also fundraising and traveling internationally to access additional options when standard care is no longer enough.

Ryan is showing encouraging signs.. his scans suggest a decrease in remaining cancer cells after surgery and treatment. The goal now is to continue that progress and keep those remaining cells suppressed for as long as possible.

The initial cost is approximately $30,000 - 85, 000 for a dendritic cell vaccine in Germany including options such as treatment at IOZK or LDG Laboratories, or APAC Bio in India as well as Natural Killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy in Mexico to help support and strengthen his immune system in fighting remaining cancer cells.

We urge you to research and understand the importance of these additional options for patients with glioblastoma. Funds will directly go toward these treatments, travel, lodging, ongoing immunotherapies, Optune therapy costs, and continuing hospital expenses.

Ryan has always worked hard and never asks for help. But now, he needs us.

Anything you can give will make a real difference. If you cannot donate, please share Ryan’s story and keep him in your prayers or connect us with additional doctors, specialists, and survivors within the glioblastoma and glioma community.

Let’s make Ryan the exception to the rule—his life is worth living.

We will keep you updated as time goes on.