Hi, My name is Ryan Conway, and my cousin is Blake Papania. I turned 21 this year, and ever since I was born, my cousin Blake has been fighting for his life. He was recently forced to have his leg amputated due to complications with blood infections and heart failure. Blake needs a prosthetic leg to keep up with his two amazing kids and continue fighting until he can get a heart transplant. He needs help now more than ever.

In 2001, Blake was just 17 and was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in his leg. He underwent limb-salvaging surgery using a cadaver bone and proceeded forward with chemotherapy. The chemo took a huge toll on his body, but the surgery and chemotherapy were successful, and the cancer was gone. Blake could continue his young adult life, but only with more leg surgeries, all in his early 20s.

Ten years later, when Blake was 27, the chemotherapy had caught up with Blake's body, and he was heartbreakingly diagnosed with heart failure. He would have to get an artificial heart pump (LVAD) to help with his heart strength since the heart failure had advanced. Infections, strokes, and aneurysms are apparently common in the long term of having an LVAD.

Earlier this year, an infection had returned to Blake's leg and spread to his bloodstream, which would lead to his heart. The doctors had finally decided that the infected leg must come off to minimize his risk of getting further blood infections.

This month, Blake was experiencing intense headaches and was rushed to the hospital. He had several brain bleeds for the second time due to the chronic infections and medications needed for his heart pump (LVAD). His heart stopped, but the doctors were able to restart it, and once again, he made it through and is okay. However, the amputation had not prevented further infection of his blood and heart.

So now we are stuck. Blake just got discharged from the hospital and is still being treated for his blood infection. He is still at risk for a massive stroke, or brain bleed, with the amputation and no prosthetic leg, while he waits for three months free of infection to be eligible to receive a heart transplant. Also, his insurance will not cover ANY of the cost of a prosthetic leg for him to walk. They will only pay up to 18 years of age.

***All donations will go directly to funding Blake's prosthetic leg; once paid, all money will be for future medical needs and Blake's kids.

Thank you!!