Hello family and friends! My name is Ralph and I am writing this on behalf of my very dear friend Ryan D'Cunha, who has just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer on Christmas Day.

You are receiving this as you've met Ryan and know him, or know someone who has been touched and blessed to have known him as a friend or family member.   

Here's the Ryan we all know and love - Ryan is the goofiest, craziest, nuttiest and happiest friend I've ever known. He has an amazing zest for life. A high energy guy, who doesn't need caffeine or alcohol for energy like some of us do to have a great time. In fact, his energy and fun spirit is contagious. You hang with him long enough and you'll get a few firm slaps on the back, several encouraging words, some good advice and usually a bear hug and a 'I love you' and sometimes a kiss. I have to admit - For a guy, getting kissed on the cheek used to weird me out, but then I came to understand that Ryan just has so much love to give that he's not afraid to tell you he loves you and show it too via a huge bear hug and a kiss. If you’ve been the recipient of one of those, you know what I am talking about and are probably smiling right about now…

Ryan is all about family and adores his childhood sweetheart Louana and 3 kids Julia (11), Nathan (9) and Lily (2) who mean the world to him. Ryan spends a ton of his time in church and giving to his community especially the youth ministry. He loves kids and teens and has dedicated his life to coaching, mentoring and guiding them. He lives by his Faith and is an example to us all.

As much as Ryan is a family man he also knows how to be the life of a party. He comes from a huge and amazingly loving family. Ryan loves to dance and loves to break out his old Michael Jackson, Back Street Boys or Nsync dance moves and let’s not forget those Salsa moves that dates him as someone who never quite grew out of the 80's and is damn proud of it.

Here’s my ask of you – 1. Prayers: Please keep Ryan and his family in your prayers. We are all praying that he will overcome his fight with cancer. It is his Faith that keeps him positive and smiling and promising us that he’ll be back to his loving family, church, community, friends and music very soon.

2. Financial Aid: The goal is to support the D’Cunha family with their upcoming medical and living expenses and to ease the financial burden in whatever way possible. Financial contributions would allow Ryan to focus on overcoming cancer and give his family a little reprieve while they focus on being strong for him and supporting him through his journey. We do not know when Ryan will be able to get back to work and to providing for his family again.

Any contribution however small would all add up and would make a big difference. Those of you that can give more, please give generously.  

Please remember Ryan in your prayers. God willing, he is going to be back to laughing, hugging and kissing us in no time at all and rocking the band once again with his drum beats.

God Bless!

PS: Ryan & Louana are most grateful for the prayers, love, support and donations and regret that they are unable to reply and thank anyone individually at this time. They asked that we PLEASE refrain from calling or texting them at this time.
Updates on Ryan's condition, when available will be posted to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1813854758903433/