Maddi's Market - For Ryan

In 2002 Ryan aged 4 was diagnosed with a rare blood condition called Fanconi Anemia (FA) Fanconi Anemia is an inherited DNA-repair disease that may lead to bone marrow failure (Aplastic Anemia), Leukemia, and/or solid tumours.

FA can affect all systems of the body. The types and severity of symptoms can differ widely from person to person. Many people with FA eventually develop acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). FA patients are extremely likely to develop a variety of cancers and at a much earlier age than patients in the general population. Patients who have had a successful bone marrow transplant are therefore cured of the blood problem associated with FA but must have regular examinations to watch for signs of cancer.

In 2005 Ryan was going into bone marrow failure and a bone marrow transplant was needed, we were fortunate Ryans younger brother was a match.

All seemed to go well but 3mths later we found out that his transplant was unsuccessful and he would require a second transplant, treatment was going to be intense this time not only chemotherapy again but also radiation. The second time around it wasn’t so smooth for Ryan he was very sick from the first day and battled for 6mths before he could be released from the hospital, the following year we were in and out of the hospital with complications.

Ryan has been in and around hospitals since birth he has overcome some huge hurdles, he went on to finish school and find work all while juggling constant check-ups and hospital visits. We celebrated his 21st and life was pretty good, has had some little hick-ups but in his usual style, he overcame them.

Early March 2020 we were given the devasting news he has bowel cancer; this was a huge shock! It’s early days with lots of appointments and overload of information but he will have surgery to remove half of his bowel and lymph nodes and then we will see what further treatment is needed. Once again, he has a big battle on his hands which I know he will take it head-on.

Last year Ryan decided he would move to Melbourne in 2020 to work and then hopefully do a bit of travelling to see the world, these plans have been put on hold until he is well enough to follow his dreams. As Ryan will not be working this fundraiser will be used for living expenses, anything medical that is not funded and to get him his dream to move and work in Melbourne with his friends.