On Monday, November 3rd, Ryan went to the emergency room for back pain and numbness. He’d been dealing with back pain for months, but without any other symptoms, there was thought to be no reason for alarm. Unfortunately, the back pain wasn’t just back pain, and Ryan was found to have a large mass in his chest that led to a diagnosis of stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer that has spread to his liver, lungs, and spine.

Ryan is a loving husband to Kelsi and a devoted father to their two children, Sage (4) and Hunter (1). They are tough and stubborn and are getting through things with dark humor and optimism, but this news has understandably rocked their world. Being away from his children has been devastating for Ryan, but he is motivated to beat this cancer and get back to playing with his kids.

Ryan remains hospitalized and has started treatment, but this will be a long road ahead, and he will be unable to work indefinitely. Kelsi has also needed to step away from her work as a police dispatcher to be by his side every step of the way and will be for the foreseeable future. Between hospital meals, gas, unpaid time off work, unanticipated childcare expenses, and upcoming medical expenses, the financial burden is real. Cancer is devastating, and they will need all the support their community can muster over the coming months, both in terms of emotional support and in easing the financial burden so that Ryan can focus on kicking cancer’s ass, and Kelsi can focus on being there for Ryan and their kids without having to worry about anything else.

With your prayers and support, we know we can carry them through.