Ryans road to health ( Mercer )

July 2016 began as a typical summer for 9 nine year old Ryan Mercer riding his bike, swimming and playing with friends. It was not until Ryan returned home from a week long adventure at summer camp that everything changed.  Ryan had hurt his back; he couldn't pin point what had happened but said it was either from doing back flips while swimming or from a fall he had playing tag. Over the next several days his parents, Gareth and Darlene, realized that Ryan's back pain was not diminishing and they became concerned . Darlene brought Ryan to the doctor, but was told it was likely nothing and that he should heal with rest. This was not the case, his pain continued to get worse. The following week Darlene brought Ryan for a chiropractic assessment, but no mechanical issues were found.  Several more days passed and Ryan's pain was now affecting his sleep and could not be controlled with rest or medication. Frustrated, Darlene took Ryan to the ER and insisted that x-rays be taken. That was the turning point, when life as they knew it would change.
Radiologists quickly determined that Ryan was suffering from a fractured vertebrae, but that was not all, further imaging confirmed that the fracture was a compression fracture of the T12, caused by a tumour on the spine.  Ryan was immediately taken into care at the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) where he underwent several MRI’s, body scans and a biopsy.
In September, Ryan was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ewing Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood bone cancer. In addition to the tumour on his spine there was evidence of metastatic disease on his left arm, pelvis and collarbone. Ryan went into full fighting mode and began compressed chemotherapy treatments every two weeks along with radiation therapy.  
Ryan has a long road ahead as treatment is expected to last longer than the standard 12 month protocol for Ewing Sarcoma. Darlene has not returned to work since the diagnosis. Gareth is self employed and works tirelessy to keep his business going while maintaining some form of normal home life for their 11 year old daughter, Rachel.

As the months pass and the family focuses their energy on helping Ryan through treatment their income has suffered.
Please join in raising funds for this loving family in support of Ryan’s long road to recovery.

Ryan, Rachel, Gareth and Darlene greatly appreciate all of their friends, family, neighbours and community who have reached out to support them.
God Bless