Ry fights for life to beat the odds
Donation protected
It is with a heavy heart that I have to make this GoFundMe on behalf of my twin brother Ryan. Ryan is so many things but in short he is a father of 2 beautiful children, a husband to a loving wife, a son and a brother, and he is the most selfless person you’ll meet.
At just 25 years old he has brought 2 amazing people into this world, protected our country while serving in the Navy, and has now been diagnosed with an extremely rare and devastating autoimmune disease called Goodpasture’s syndrome (aka: anti-GBM disease)
As my twin brother, Ryan has always been my protector from anything scary or bad in life. Ryan’s desire to protect others doesn’t stop at his family...without hesitation he would give all he had to a stranger in need. Ryan continued to fulfill the role of a protector when he joined the Navy 6 years ago, except now he protects not only me but our entire country.
Rare Diagnosis
With less than 1 per million cases diagnosed each year, Ryan has been diagnosed with the most aggressive form of this autoimmune disease. Anti-GBM disease occurs when the immune system creates antibodies that target the collagen in the glomerular basement membrane of the kidneys and alveoli of the lungs causing acute pulmonary and renal failure.
Ryan initially presented with symptoms of acute kidney failure and coughing up blood. Just 5 days later Ryan progressed to stage 5 renal failure and was put on life support for respiratory failure. Today I am writing this with tears in my eyes because Ryan has opened his eyes for the first time in 2 weeks. After the longest 2 weeks of my life simply praying for Ryan to remain stable, his doctors have finally smiled while giving us an update. Today my tears are happy instead of sad and I am thankful that while the road ahead of him is long and complicated- it is most importantly going to be long.
Treatments
Ryan remains in an ICU while he continues to battle this aggressive disease. His treatment regimen at minimum consists of plasmapheresis, dialysis, chemotherapy, steroids, blood transfusions, lung PT to remove remaining blood from his lungs, and ventilation until he can completely breathe on his own.
Ryan’s kidney’s will never restore their function. He will require dialysis long-term until we can find him a donor match for a new kidney after his disease is in remission.
Current Prognosis
The severity of Ryan’s current state will require him to remain in the ICU until he is stable enough to continue his treatments in home and out-patient. Ryan will be unable to work until this disease is less active and after he has had time to recover. The long-term medical care he will need will save his life, but at a cost.
Donated Funds
All of the funds donated to Ryan will be used for paying for his medical treatments (listed above) in addition to covering his bills such as rent and food for his family during the time Ryan is unable to work.
I have never felt so helpless and while I cannot help him medically I would like to try and help him financially so he can continue to receive the treatments necessary to save his life. Please find it in your heart to help my brother. Please help me protect him, just as he has protected us. Asking for donations is a huge favor to ask and I know not everyone is in a position to donate. Please take a moment to share this link of Ryan’s story with others so that we can get Ryan the help he so desperately needs. I can promise that your donation will be saving the life of someone who will genuinely be forever grateful to each and every person who helps save his life.
Thank you for your support and helping Ryan win this unimaginably difficult fight.
His daughter Aria
His son Oliver
His shipmates
At just 25 years old he has brought 2 amazing people into this world, protected our country while serving in the Navy, and has now been diagnosed with an extremely rare and devastating autoimmune disease called Goodpasture’s syndrome (aka: anti-GBM disease)
As my twin brother, Ryan has always been my protector from anything scary or bad in life. Ryan’s desire to protect others doesn’t stop at his family...without hesitation he would give all he had to a stranger in need. Ryan continued to fulfill the role of a protector when he joined the Navy 6 years ago, except now he protects not only me but our entire country. Rare Diagnosis
With less than 1 per million cases diagnosed each year, Ryan has been diagnosed with the most aggressive form of this autoimmune disease. Anti-GBM disease occurs when the immune system creates antibodies that target the collagen in the glomerular basement membrane of the kidneys and alveoli of the lungs causing acute pulmonary and renal failure.
Ryan initially presented with symptoms of acute kidney failure and coughing up blood. Just 5 days later Ryan progressed to stage 5 renal failure and was put on life support for respiratory failure. Today I am writing this with tears in my eyes because Ryan has opened his eyes for the first time in 2 weeks. After the longest 2 weeks of my life simply praying for Ryan to remain stable, his doctors have finally smiled while giving us an update. Today my tears are happy instead of sad and I am thankful that while the road ahead of him is long and complicated- it is most importantly going to be long.
Treatments
Ryan remains in an ICU while he continues to battle this aggressive disease. His treatment regimen at minimum consists of plasmapheresis, dialysis, chemotherapy, steroids, blood transfusions, lung PT to remove remaining blood from his lungs, and ventilation until he can completely breathe on his own.
Ryan’s kidney’s will never restore their function. He will require dialysis long-term until we can find him a donor match for a new kidney after his disease is in remission.
Current Prognosis
The severity of Ryan’s current state will require him to remain in the ICU until he is stable enough to continue his treatments in home and out-patient. Ryan will be unable to work until this disease is less active and after he has had time to recover. The long-term medical care he will need will save his life, but at a cost.
Donated Funds
All of the funds donated to Ryan will be used for paying for his medical treatments (listed above) in addition to covering his bills such as rent and food for his family during the time Ryan is unable to work.
I have never felt so helpless and while I cannot help him medically I would like to try and help him financially so he can continue to receive the treatments necessary to save his life. Please find it in your heart to help my brother. Please help me protect him, just as he has protected us. Asking for donations is a huge favor to ask and I know not everyone is in a position to donate. Please take a moment to share this link of Ryan’s story with others so that we can get Ryan the help he so desperately needs. I can promise that your donation will be saving the life of someone who will genuinely be forever grateful to each and every person who helps save his life.
Thank you for your support and helping Ryan win this unimaginably difficult fight.
His daughter Aria
His son OliverHis shipmates Fundraising team (3)
Megan Beem
Organizer
Arlington, VA
Georgia MacRae
Beneficiary
Jon Bailey
Team member
Bill Beem
Team member
