Support Anna Chu & Ryan MacDonald in Cancer Fight

While working a  construction job in Las Vegas, Anna's husband, Ryan MacDonald, became ill at the beginning of 2020.  During the first 5 weeks of Ryan becoming ill, his doctors were puzzled by what was wrong. He was first diagnosed with bronchitis, and then with possible stomach bacteria. His lab work showed some abnormalities, so he was sent to a Urologist, who said to Ryan, "I don't know why you are here."

During this time,  we were all beginning to learn about the impact of Covid-19. But Anna and Ryan were also learning Ryan's prolonged illness was due to acute kidney failure, and of his need to be admitted to the hospital in Las Vegas immediately. While Ryan was being treated for kidney failure, the cause of his kidney failure was discovered to be Multiple Myeloma--a blood cancer affecting the body's plasma cells that accumulate in the bone marrow, replacing the healthy blood cells. *Plasma cells are important to the immune system in that they produce antibodies to fight off infection.
Upon returning to Utah, Ryan was immediately admitted to Huntsman Cancer Hospital. The next day, Huntsman closed its doors to all visitors due to COVID-19, preventing Anna from being by Ryan's side. 

Since Ryan's devastating diagnosis, he continues to receive dialysis three times a week and his chemotherapy treatments. In August 2020, Ryan was again admitted to Huntsman for three weeks to receive a stem cell transplant. It was during this hospital stay that Ryan, due to his weakened condition, fell and injured his head, which required him to be moved to the ICU. Anna was devastated at not being able to be by Ryan's side to support and encourage him. And when Ryan was finally released from the hospital, he had to be readmitted the next day because of a high fever. Again, Anna found herself on the outside, waiting for news, while Ryan faced his treatment alone. Most days, Anna was overwhelmed with emotion at not knowing what was happening with Ryan, at the thought that Ryan was by himself, and at the possibility that Ryan could die without her by his side for comfort. Yet, Anna expressed profound gratitude when she learned that the stem cell transplant put Ryan's cancer into remission, despite the fact he must continue to receive weekly dialysis and chemotherapy treatments to hopefully keep his cancer at bay. 

Ryan is told that he will likely need a kidney transplant in the near future. However, before he can receive a new kidney he must remain in remission for 5-years. He has endured a multitude of surgeries and procedures, including an oral surgery to remove his teeth so he could receive his stem cell transplant. Despite Anna having insurance, all of Ryan's cancer treatments and surgeries have left her and Ryan with mounting medical bills. And they have found themselves needing to purchase a new furnace for their home after it stopped working in the middle of Ryan's ongoing cancer treatments. Needless to say, Ryan has been unable to return to work, leaving Anna to be the sole income provider and caretaker. Anna takes extreme care to make sure Ryan is protected, as much as possible, from contracting COVID-19, which leaves Anna to attend to the day-to-day tasks of working and caring for Ryan. 


Anna was my legal assistant at LDA before she took a job to be closer to her home in Provo. Anna is amazingly strong and independent, which is why she struggles so much with asking for help. So I will ask on her behalf that anyone who can, will help Anna shoulder the many burdens she currently bears by donating financially to allow Anna to meet her mounting financial obligations and continue to care for Ryan.

Thank you,

Debra M. Nelson