Ryan, my son-in-law, was recently diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. The news came as a shock to our family, especially since he is so young and the condition is extremely uncommon. Unlike many cancers, this is not something that can simply be removed, treated, and left behind. At this time, Ryan’s cancer is not considered curable. The goal of treatment is not to eliminate the disease, but to manage it, slow its progression, reduce complications, and help him maintain the best quality of life possible for as long as possible.
Ryan is a life-long resident of Winter Garden, FL and a proud 2006 graduate of West Orange High. He has spent his life investing in the community he loves. For the past eight years, Ryan has dedicated countless hours to Winter Garden Little League as a coach, manager, and Allstar manager. He's been mentoring and coaching our community’s young athletes, always willing to step up wherever he is needed.
After Jessica’s extensive research, Ryan has established care with one of the leading teams in the world for his specific diagnosis at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. Their physicians are at the forefront of research and treatment, offering hope to patients facing this rare disease. There are only a small number of doctors in the United States who study and manage patients with this rare cancer, making access to expert care even more critical. Ryan has been approved for a medication that has shown promising results in helping slow disease progression and preserve quality of life, particularly in younger patients.
The hope is that with advances in medicine, ongoing monitoring, and access to the right treatments, Ryan can continue living a full, active life for many years to come. But this diagnosis comes with the understanding that he will be managing this disease for the foreseeable future. There is no surgery that fixes it, no treatment that closes this chapter, and no point at which the medical needs simply disappear.
The reality, however, is that living with a chronic cancer diagnosis comes with a tremendous financial burden. Medications, ongoing blood work, specialist appointments locally, therapeutic procedures when necessary, and travel to Texas a couple times a year for continued care and monitoring. One of the hardest parts of this journey has been learning it’s ok to accept help. Many people have reached out asking what they can do, and after much prayer and consideration, the family has agreed to accept help through this fundraiser.
Perhaps one of the greatest gifts these donations provide is peace of mind. Every contribution helps relieve some of the financial pressure that naturally accompanies a lifelong illness and allows Ryan and Jessica to focus their resources on the medical care he needs. It gives them the freedom to spend less time worrying about how to cover the next expense and more time focusing on Ryan’s health, their boys, and making memories together as a family. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for any help you can provide.
Ryan is a life-long resident of Winter Garden, FL and a proud 2006 graduate of West Orange High. He has spent his life investing in the community he loves. For the past eight years, Ryan has dedicated countless hours to Winter Garden Little League as a coach, manager, and Allstar manager. He's been mentoring and coaching our community’s young athletes, always willing to step up wherever he is needed.
After Jessica’s extensive research, Ryan has established care with one of the leading teams in the world for his specific diagnosis at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. Their physicians are at the forefront of research and treatment, offering hope to patients facing this rare disease. There are only a small number of doctors in the United States who study and manage patients with this rare cancer, making access to expert care even more critical. Ryan has been approved for a medication that has shown promising results in helping slow disease progression and preserve quality of life, particularly in younger patients.
The hope is that with advances in medicine, ongoing monitoring, and access to the right treatments, Ryan can continue living a full, active life for many years to come. But this diagnosis comes with the understanding that he will be managing this disease for the foreseeable future. There is no surgery that fixes it, no treatment that closes this chapter, and no point at which the medical needs simply disappear.
The reality, however, is that living with a chronic cancer diagnosis comes with a tremendous financial burden. Medications, ongoing blood work, specialist appointments locally, therapeutic procedures when necessary, and travel to Texas a couple times a year for continued care and monitoring. One of the hardest parts of this journey has been learning it’s ok to accept help. Many people have reached out asking what they can do, and after much prayer and consideration, the family has agreed to accept help through this fundraiser.
Perhaps one of the greatest gifts these donations provide is peace of mind. Every contribution helps relieve some of the financial pressure that naturally accompanies a lifelong illness and allows Ryan and Jessica to focus their resources on the medical care he needs. It gives them the freedom to spend less time worrying about how to cover the next expense and more time focusing on Ryan’s health, their boys, and making memories together as a family. Your kindness and generosity mean the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for any help you can provide.