My name is David Nicklas and my 37 year old cousin, Ryan Smith, suffered a stroke on February 8th 2026 (Superbowl Sunday) at his home in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He had been diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011 and has had some surgeries since then with success. But he finds himself in a difficult position and he needs our help. Please read the full details from Ryan:

Early in the morning after 4am, he was starting his day watching TV and lying in bed when he felt his right arm begin to feel numb and heavy. It progressed quickly and he was unable to move his right arm or leg. When he called 911, he realized at that moment that his speech was slurred and feared he had a stroke. When the paramedics arrived at his apartment, they had to force open the locks as Ryan was unable to walk or crawl to his front door. He was rushed by ambulance to the ER where imaging and trauma physicians confirmed Ryan had suffered an Acute Left Basal Ganglia Infarction - Ischemic Stroke (CVA).

Before the stroke, Ryan has been battling brain cancer since his initial diagnosis in 2011 when he lived in California.

Cancer Journey

2011: Suffered a Grand Mal Seizure with biopsy confirming brain cancer in the left hemisphere - Glioma (Astrocytoma Grade 2)

2012: Radiation treatment for 5 weeks and daily anti-seizure medication indefinitely

2021: Ryan’s brain tumor remained stagnant after radiation until a MRI confirmed that Ryan’s brain tumor was growing. He underwent a full tumor resection in April 2021 that was successful. Unfortunately, he suffered from Aphasia after the surgery and needed speech therapy to relearn how to communicate.

2023: After a routine MRI follow-up in November, he received the news from his neuro-oncologist that his brain tumor had returned. He was placed on an experimental drug named Tibsovo, and his doctor also implemented oral chemotherapy (Temodar) for 5 days/month for a year.

2025: After completing the course of oral chemo and taking Tibsovo and later on Voranigo, Ryan’s neuro-oncologist advised him in April his tumor was increasing in size despite chemo and the prescription medication for IDH mutant gliomas.

In late May 2025, Ryan underwent a second full tumor resection surgery with the same neurosurgeon that performed his surgery in 2021. Biopsy of the tumor confirmed that the astrocytoma progressed from Grade 2 to Grade 3.

In July 2025, Ryan’s neuro-oncologist recommended that Ryan take oral chemotherapy (Temodar) daily for a full year and also complete radiation treatment. Ryan completed 27 radiation sessions through September. He returned to work from October to the beginning of February until the stroke occurred.

Unfortunately, Ryan is currently on unpaid leave from his job as a warehouse supervisor. Ryan’s Phys Med/Rehab physician has estimated that Ryan will need at least 6 months to recover from his stroke with the therapy necessary to help him regain motor control of his right side.

The time between his tumor resection surgery last May and the unexpected stroke event is less than 12 months, and his employer does not provide any further short term or long term disability benefits. He is able to maintain his health insurance through his employer as long as he continues to make premium payments out of pocket.

Next Steps and Upcoming Needs:

After Ryan is discharged from inpatient rehab, he will begin neuro rehab at home to prepare him to transition to an intensive day neuro rehab program (6 hours of therapy/day).

At home, he will now need the following: a wheelchair, hemi walker, tub/shower transfer chair, shoulder brace, toilet safety rails, rehabilitation rocker knife and more.

He must continue his cancer treatment with a current pause on chemotherapy while he is in rehab.

He and his family will also seek further consultation with doctors to gain deeper insight into the effects of radiation on his brain tissue. Our hope is that he can prevent the risk of future strokes or other unforeseen medical complications.

Ryan looks forward to the day he beats cancer and is in remission and can focus on growing a family of his own.

Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference. Please share this fundraiser so it may reach others as well.

His Cousin David, will be managing the donations to pay Ryan’s living and medical expenses.

Thank you for your kindness and compassion.