Ryan Wingate’s Fight Against Leukemia

In early April, Ryan began acting extremely sick. He refused all food, was incredibly fatigued, and started sleeping excessively. Once an incredibly active boy, he suddenly refused to move around. When his lab results came back, the Wingate family's worst fears were confirmed: Ryan was diagnosed with MDS - Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a cancer of the bone marrow/blood in the leukemia family. MDS is very rare in children, but more common in children with Down Syndrome.

Since then Ryan has undergone two bone marrow aspirations, a lumbar puncture, and two rounds of Chemotherapy. To manage his food and fluid intake, he was given an NG tube and receives nutrients from a portable pump. His treatment is projected to last 8+ months with regular follow-up appointments to monitor for a return of cancer cells.

Ryan has always been at greater risk of developing leukemia but no family can ever truly prepare for this kind of diagnosis. Thankfully the Wingate family has all medical expenses covered through insurance, but certain expenses like food, lodging and gas continue to come out of pocket, and Ryan's treatment is 75 miles from where Alex is currently stationed. The family has been juggling and managing not just Ryan's care, but also their two older boys Liam and Eric, and baby Emma, along with the challenges and responsibilities of daily life and work, and so this fundraiser is designed to help ease that financial burden and give a little back to a family that has given much so much to their Local, Church, and Military communities.

The Wingate family is incredibly grateful for the overwhelming love and support they have received and they look forward to the day when Ryan wins his battle with cancer.