Ryan is fighting for his life - we all want him to make it to his daughter's second birthday in six months and fight on from there!
Auckland
In February we received the heartbreaking news that Ryan has an aggressive form of kidney cancer. It is so hard to believe that in the space of just a few months Ryan - a fit 34-year-old, husband to Hazel and father to gorgeous Olivia (18 months old) - is fighting for his life.
After the initial diagnosis, Ryan had major surgery to remove his right kidney. Based on the histology, everyone (doctors included) thought and hoped it would be a relatively straightforward recovery from that point… it was not to be. The cancer has spread to his lungs and his liver.
Chemo has not halted the cancer and the only option open to him now is to undergo a course of Keytruda, a very expensive drug not funded by Pharmac or the Government, which is delivering some very positive outcomes for cancer sufferers.
A course of treatment is $70,000 – this is $6,000 every 3 weeks – a huge cost for a young family.
Many people have asked, "how can we help?" - so this is just one way and any contribution would be greatly appreciated.
We all want Ryan to make it to Olivia’s second birthday in six months and then fight on from there!
A close friend of Ryan and Hazel.
The funds will be used to pay for treatment costs and relieve some financial stress for Ryan and Hazel during this difficult time.
Rest in peace Ryan 28 August 2018
This update is posted with a heavy heart. Sadly Ryan lost his battle on 9 August - he died peacefully at Mercy Hospice with his loving wife Hazel by his side.
Ryan was remembered, celebrated and farewelled by family and friends at a service held on 15 August. It was with much sadness, but also moments of light, that we said goodbye to a wonderful man, father, husband, son, brother, and friend.
We are all so grateful for the donations received through this page. Ryan was overwhelmed and humbled by the support received for him and his family - he commented how there were messages from so many different people, including people he hadn't seen for many years and people he had never met.
The funds will now be used to support the family through this very difficult time, with donations also to be made to Mercy Hospice and families facing similar struggles.
Gone too soon, but never forgotten. RIP Ryan.
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