Rally4Ryan

On March 12th, Ryan’s parents rushed him to the hospital. Noticing some difference in his balance, his speech, his eating habits, and just overall noticed he wasn’t being himself. They took Ryan in that afternoon, with all best assumptions of an ear infection, or some type of a head cold, any of the basic childhood illnesses. This little one has never really been sick. He has always been a complete ball of energy, adventurous, full of joy and love, and oh that personality! Only those who truly know Ryan will know what I mean when I say that child is 4 going on 25. He has the spirit of a warrior, nothing ever stands in his way. So after a week in the hospital, clueless really to what was going on but just seeing their little one in pain, confused, poked and pronged they finally got the results. It was CANCER. The dreaded word that no one ever wants to hear.


Ryan has been diagnosed with a very rare brain cancer Diffuse Leptomeningeal Glioneuronal. This has also traveled to his spine. This is such a rare form that there isn’t much information on it, so understand if you ask, they simply just don’t have many answers at this time. UVA has done a wonderful job of caring for him and the entire family, giving all the information can at this point. What we do know is that while the doctors are optimistic about his prognosis there is currently no official cure, the road that lies ahead will be long and not without significant physical, emotional and financial challenges.


Ryan, his mom, dad and his 3 siblings are facing significant medical bills as a family that won’t end once the long inpatient hospital stay is over; maintenance chemotherapy treatments, follow up appointments with specialists and physical and emotional recovery will extend for years.


On behalf of the family, donations of any amount are graciously being accepted and will be used entirely to help Ryan win this fight against CANCER - From all of us, thank you.



#CANCERSUCKS

#Rally4Ryan